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The Quarterly Journal of the Shropshire Caving and Mining Club

B e l wo !

Winter 1988

Well Christmas is upon us andthoughts are turned more towardssurviving the 'festive' season,rather than undergroundexcursions. To help you while-away the long winter hours (aftercleaning your tackle and de-waxing your ear plugs in readinessfor next years Club trips) thisissue contains a few lighthearted quizzes. Based on miningand caving naturally.

The crossword puzzle and one ofthe word squares are just forfun, however the CompetitionSquare is genuine. So pleasesend me your answers just a listof the 20 words will do, alongwith your name and address.

The copy of the video tape I haveto give to the winner is a VMSone, so if your video is different(e.g.: Betamax or Phillips 2000)then let me know so I can changeit.

Finally I would like to say toall Club members and readers.

ConstitutionAt the Special General Meetingof the Club, held at the LastInn, Newport, on Friday December2nd. (prior to the DecemberOrdinary Meeting) the proposedchanges to the Club Constitutionwere passed, along with minorcorrections relating totypographical errors.

Black Country MineNew developments with a miningtheme are currently taking place atthe Black Country Museum. On themuseum site, a huge crater has beenexcavated ready for the constructionof a concrete underground miningexhibit. The idea being that only bythis approach can a safe environmentbe created for members of the publicto view mine workings.

Near to the museum site work hasstarted on another canal tunnel byD.C.Thompson. This new tunnel willlink Castle Mill basin on the canalto Singer Cavern, providing a roundtrip for the Dudley Canal Trustselectric trip boats.

There was at one time a plan tolinking the Museums undergroundexhibit to Dark (144) Cavern of thelimestone workings, via an existingtramway tunnel that ends at anunderground wharf. From there aboat would go via existing and newtunnels to Singer Cavern. If thisplan ever happens it would providethe public with a good insight tothe size of the limestone workingsat Dudley.

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Council of Europe Colloquy on MiningEngineering Monuments

In September 1988 the Council ofEurope held a "colloquy" atBochum mining Museum, Germanyon Mining Engineering Monumentsas a Cultural Heritage.

Over 1OO delegates attended from14 European countries including6 delegates from Britain. Thesix included Stafford Lisleyfrom Newcastle University, PeterWhite (English Heritage), BrainDavies (Director, Big Pit MiningMuseum) and the writer.

Each morning session was takenup by a series of reports, onefrom each European countrydescribing what had been achievedin the country in miningpreservation terms. The qualityof the papers was variable somewere highly academic othersshowed that much actualpreservation work was being doneon the surface and in many casesunderground too.

The number of show-mines hasmushroomed. Germany alone hasmore than 3O but even thisfigure does not exceed that ofBritain.

The afternoon sessions involvedvisits to German mines bothpreserved and operating, and tomining conservation areas. TheRamsbeck Lead and Silver minewas visited and a reception-barbecue held in the village ofAndreast, so named by homesickmetal miners who had migratedhere from the village in theHertz Mountains of that name.

The many "receptions" (consistingusually of a meal and speeches)put on by the various mininggroups and local authoritieswere most memorable - each triedto be different. On two occasionsthe courses and speeches werepunctuated by items from a 9-piece miners band in full "miners'uniform. On other occasions theevening session was held in arecently converted Hoffmanbrick-kiln, a museum gallery, aminers bath house and in theopen air!

The main work of the colloquyhowever revolved around thePapers and the collection ofthese forms a real "mine" ofinformation, still to be properlyassessed. Many preservationgroups circulated theirliterature, these ranged fromthe proposals to preserve asingle building to a completemine (e.g.: the £30 millionproject at Zollverein Colliery)and also to almost completemining fields (French slate,Alsace Potash and the LimburgCoalfield).

The discussion sessions weremost useful and at the final onerecommendations were drawn upfor presentation to the Councilof Europe. In all a mostinteresting week, should anyonewish to know more, please contactthe writer.

(The final "colloquy" in thisseries is to be held in Durham in1989, on the topic "Preservingindustrial records andarchives").

I.J.Brown

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Across

1. The Well, Chapel and George's.{5)

2. Drainage tunnel (5)3. Chemical name of chief mineral in

flowstone (2)4. wooden forcing or lifting setts

(7,3)7. Underground area, seems such a

waste (4)10. Wet or dry, one is a must for

Dyfyngwm (4)12. Such a tiny object, yet you can

climb on it (8)14. Collective headgear (4)16. Vertical cave descent (5)18. Underground pit for men or

materials (5)20. Revolving spiral classifier or

sieve. Black Tom has one (7)22. Cave Boulders do this (5)23. Do this for new routes (3)24. __ Bye (2)25. Horizontal climb at a high level

(8)26. Would you free climb Lordshill

Engine Shaft? (2)30. Sloping Mine Passage (7)

31. Shropshire coal minesdeveloped a long one (4)

33. Angle of tilt of a rock bed(3)

36. __ cast (2)37. A caver specialising in cave

sciences, basically anyonewho explores underground(12)

Down

1. It's all the rage for climbingpurposes (6,4,9)

2. Completely flooded sectionof cave passage (4)

3. Rock exposed at the surface,out ____ (4)

5. Man made hi11, such a waste(3)

6. Highly productive SalopBarytes mine in 193O*s, thinkof Badger (7)

8. Extreme end of any mine where menwork the vein or seam {4 )

9. What they are after in metalmines (3)

11. Point at which an undergroundstream emerges (10)

13. Machine for circulating air (3)15. Depression in a limestone area,

may be a cave (7)17. Narrow vertical fissure, no

smoke here (7)19. Once steam now electric (6)21. Welsh name for cave (4)23. The only way to pass 2 down (4)27. Where you put tackle (2)28. Only way to rest at Minera

(Cabin Shaft), sounds liketacklemaster (5)

29. Mine owners hope to do this withbenefits following improvements(4)

31. Prospectors start off on thisand a prayer (4)

32. Long channel bringing water toa mine (4)

34. Carbide or electric (4)35. Group responsible for

coordinating underground help(1,1,1)

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Round-Up 1 by Ivor BrownNews News

Opencast SitesTwo adjoining opencast sitesare now operational near Dawley.The Newdale Opencast Site(Shepherd Hill Contract) isworking the Big Flint to LittleFlint sequences of coal seams.Some old workings are visible.The old tramway bridge adjoiningthe site has been preserved.London Fields Company areoperating the other site (NewdaleHalt Opencast Site) which is inthe same geological sequences.

Lilleshall ShaftIt is proposed to sink a shallowshaft into the old limestoneworkings at Lilleshall duringthe autumn of 1988 as part of amajor stability study. The SCMCplan of Jackie Parrs Mine (1966)is being used as a basis.

Shropshire MammothsThe Mammoth exhibition at Cosfordhas proved very popular. Althoughit closed in October it islikely to be moved to anothervenue in Shropshire.

Land ReclamationIJB gave a paper on "LandReclamation Recreation Potential- The Shropshire Experience" toa conference in Durham in July.A copy is available in the IGMTLibrary. Similarly there is acopy of the paper given to theADAS conference at Newportentitled "Geology and Mining inTelford - A Review".

Fullers Earth MineThe 'Fullers Earth' Mine atCoalbrookdale has been drainedand is now freely accessible.Perhaps a good Club trip?

Dunge CollieryResearch has been carried outinto the surviving building atDunge Colliery, Broseley. Somebelieve it to have been a windingengine house. There are doubtshowever as rope holes leave ateach end and the shaft is to theside.

Lincoln HillDrilling continues into theLincoln Hill Mines but very fewnew voids have been reported.

Ironbridge Gorge ModelIGMT is working on a large modelof the Ironbridge Gorge as itwas when visited by the Duke ofOrange in 1796. It is hoped toshow the position of mines,quarries and works at that date! (Lets hope they look afterthis model better than othersthey have had Ed.)

Answer: At least 5

- 2 to bolt and climb, 1 tosupervise the lifeline and relayinformation to the 2 personback-up team carrying tackleand spare light bulbs.

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You are all probably familiar with word squares, here are twoexamples. The first is a 'warm up' square and contains the 20 hiddenwords listed beside it. The second square is a special competitionsquare.

Word Squares

These are the hidden words

FIRESETTINGOPENCASTHEADINGWETSUITTACKLESTOPEBOLT

TROGLODYTEVITIATEDBOULDERLADDERBUDDLEADITBED

FLOWSTONEBRATTICETURBINEKIBBLECABANDRUM

Christmas CompetitionThis word square contains 20 hidden words, none of the words are less than6 letters long and no abbreviations have been used.

When you have found all 20 words, send your answers to the Editor (addresson back page).The first correct answer out of the tackle bag on March 1st will win acopy of I.A.Recordings video cassette 'The New Dudley Tunnel', whichfollows the construction of the 1984 canal tunnel at Dudley (work hasalready started on the 1989 canal tunnel !).

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Great Rock (Shiny Ore) Mine, DevonGreat Rock or 'Shiny Ore' Mineis situated at Hennock (191 SX8256 8155) not far from NewtonAbbot. The mine started in 1902working micaceous haematite,initially for the iron industryand later for use in rust-proofpaint.

The mine closed in 1969 and thesite is now covered with trees(noble conifers). The approachroad to the mine is plasteredwith 'Private Property' signshowever it is possible to reachthe site by a public footpathfrom Hennock village. Once nearthe mine, by following a footpathround the contour of the hillrather than over it 3 openlevels can be found - althoughthey are very overgrown and hardto spot, level 'C' was onlydiscovered by an incredible blastof cold air coming from theundergrowth.

Level 'A' went in more or less astraight line for about 150'reaching a flooded winze thatcompletely blocked the wayforward. On one side of thewinze and above it there appearedto be chambers but it was notpossible to see into either ofthem. With the aid of a lifelineor plank it would be quitepossible to reach the sidechamber. There seemed to be amodern metal step fixed to thefar wall to allow access to theother side of the winze from thechamber. Looking down into theflooded winze, there appearedto be a chain with a kibble, Petetook a photograph into the waterand the picture seems to confirmthis.

Level 'B' was flooded, due to amound of earth at the entrance,

it would have been possible towade but time did not permit usto venture in. From itsconstruction this level lookedolder than level 'A'.

Level 'C' was round the hillfrom the other levels andactually on the side of a fairlysteep valley. This level wasdiscovered by the very strongblast of cold air coming fromthe bushes in front of theentrance. At the entrance werethe remains of a grilled gateway,also numbered surveying markerswere bolted to the roof andcharted the route from theentrance to the main stope.

The level split at various pointsbut mainly reached blindheadings. The two stopes wereinteresting, both were quitenarrow, hardly wider than thepassageway. One contained a steelladder, while the other had aline of bolts complete withbelay plates fixed up the wholeof its near vertical height(estimated about 50 feet) towhat looked to be a hatch. Therealso seemed to be levels nearthe top of the stope.

Unfortunatly we were not equippedto climb the stope and we did nothave enough time to explore thelevel that continued on from thefoot of the stope. We did have awalk over the top of the hill tosee if it was possible to locateshafts that might give access tohigher workings (which are markedon the map), but apart from acouple of interesting depressionswe were unsuccessful.

Peter Egglestonand Kelvin Lake

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Fig. 2

Fig. 1

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Clogau St. Davids Gold MineMembers Present: Neal Rushton,Alan Robinson, Peter Eggleston,Edwin Thorpe, Kelvin Lake, SteveHolding

The Club was invited in earlyOctober to visit Clogau St.Davids Gold Mine and exploresome in-accessible workings forthe new owners who wished re-open part of the mine to thepublic.

The party travelled to Bontdduon Saturday October 1st, arrivingabout midday. After meeting Jimthe mine manager in the pub, nowcalled 'The Half-Way House'(which is well worth a visit asit has been done-up on a miningtheme) we travelled up to theCornel Level of the mine (124 SH672 200).

Making use of the old Miners dryto change in, we made our waywith guidance from Jim to thetop of the No.2 shaft. Theowners are hoping to open thelowest level (Fig.2 'A') to taketrains of tourists, however atthe time of the visit the No.lShaft was blocked with fill,although they had managed toremove most of it.

Our task was to try and descendfrom the Cornel Level via No.2Shaft if possible to the lowestlevel and establish the depth ofany water that might be backedup behind the fill at the bottomof No.l Shaft, before the minersdug through it. It sounds easy,but it took the complete 2 daysto achieve !

On the Saturday, Neal and Alanbolted and rigged the No.2 Shaftfor an SRT descent, slightly

hampered by a rubble coveredwooden platform over the shaft.At the same time Kelvin, Peterand Edwin rigged a ladder downthe third winze in from No.2shaft making use of a nearbyrock pillar for a belay. Kelvindescended and found that thefloor between here and No.2 hadcollapsed into a stope so therewas no chance of reaching No.2from there. In the otherdirection the level was intactwith another winze to the nextlevel, but a lack of suitablebelay points.

Neal, Alan and Steve were stillworking on the tricky rig aroundNo.2 Shaft, so Peter, Edwin andKelvin rigged a ladder down theadjacent winze. Kelvin descendedinto the foggy depths, passinground the over-hanging lip andreaching an intermediate ledgeabout 25 feet down, 5 feet wideand about 20 feet long (notmarked on the plan), whichappeared to have been used as astore, with the remains of tools,timber and odd lengths of metal.At this point the ladder snakedaround the rock pillar supportingthe level above, thus making thenext section of descent a littletricky. About 25 feet below theledge was a traming level, whichdivided around the pillar forminga stope on one side and a levelon the other, a feature repeatedat lower levels. The stope wasin a poor state being almostcompletely blocked by debris.

The level proved moreinteresting, it contained theremains of a 3-sided end tippingtruck, although photographs weretaken, it was so foggy they havenot been very successful.

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Clogau St. Davids Gold Mine Cont.Beyond the truck the level endedin a very poor edge on the otherside of the floor collapse viewedfrom the first ladder descent.In the end of the level towardsNo.2 Shaft were various tools,but also a small kibble. Thiswas an interesting find, becauseset in the roof above the CornelLevel and over the stope waswhat seemed like parts of awinding set-up, also photographsin the pub, showed the minersstanding around a small kibbleabout the same size as the onediscovered. Raising it to theCornel Level was a bit of astruggle, thank goodness it wasempty !

Just before we finished for theday, Alan was able to make abrief descent of No.2 Shaft andmanaged to get 2 levels downafter clearing away a lot ofrubble and debris in the Shaft,which in places was more of anarrow stope than shaft.Stemples, air pipes and oldladders also added to thecongestion in the lower part ofthe shaft.

After an excellent meal at thepub we spent the night at thePost Office in Bontddu, whichdid bed and breakfast.Unfortunately there were 4 bedsfor 5 of us (Steve had opted tocamp on the back lawn of thepub), as nobody wanted to sharea double bed with Edwin or Peter(due to snoring), Alan gallantlymade his excuses and slept onthe floor.

On the Sunday we returned brightand early (well early anyway) tothe Cornel Level, where Alan andNeal descended 2 levels of No.2

Shaft to establish a 'base'before attempting to go further.Kelvin took Jim down the nearbywinze to the ledge to show himthe artefacts, then attemptedto photograph the fog. Peter,Edwin and Steve doing a stalwartjob throughout the day of life-lining etc.

Later in the day after Neal andAlan had secured the 'base',Kelvin descended to that levelwhile Neal and Alan continued ondown to the bottom level. Despitethe large amount of water fallingdown to the lower levels thelevel was found to be only about6 to 18 inches deep between Nos.1 and 2 shafts.

While Neal and Alan wereexploring the lower level, Kelvinattempted to photograph the 'basestation' which was a mirrorimage of the higher level, beinga level and stope (in this casethe bottom of a stope) dividedby a rock pillar. Unfortunatelythe ends of the levels eitherside of the pillar were blockedby rubbish which had obviouslycome from the higher stopecollapse.

In the 'base station' chamber byNo. 2 shaft were several shovels,another 3-sided truck, a set ofpoints in the rails and an orechute which had partiallycollapsed. Unfortunately as withother places, the fog adverselyaffected the pictures.

After enjoying another excellentand much needed meal at the'Half Way House' and taking onelast look at the old photographson the wall, we wended our wearyway home.

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Round-Up 2News News

If you were slightly scepticalabout the claims made byEurotunnel, about how simple itwas to build the Channel Tunnelyou will be interested to learnthat the cost of the tunnel hasjust risen by £350m due toengineering delays and extramanagement costs (have theyactually started on the realtunnel yet?).

The £750m raised by Eurotunnelfrom shareholders has alreadybeen used up and they are nowdrawing on loans from banks.However they are still dismissingthe actual construction astrivial and plan to open on timein 1993.

As an aside it is interesting tonote that none of the firmsinvolved in the tunnel are miningfirms.

Heinz has brought the only Englishcape - Cape Cornwall, to preserveit for the continued enjoymentof the British public.

Designated a Site of SpecialScientific Interest (SSSI) andalso a Grade 1 NatureConservation Review (NCR) site,Cape Cornwall has a rich varietyof wildlife not to mention themining and archaeologicalremains.

The land is to be owned and caredfor by the National Trust, whichhas been concerned to preservethe cape from the threat ofdevelopment and over-commercialisation.

Heinz has also made an endowmentto cover wardening, managementand maintenance costs.Apart from the superb views fromthe cape, it harbours remains ofCape Cornwall Copper and Tinmine and was used for the settingof the 'Poldark' televisionseries.

Part of the plans for the capeinclude the restoration of themine and its 65ft water wheel.

Shaugh Bridge, Devon(201 SX 5337 6374)

Situated by Dewerstone Rock,just within the Dartmoor NationalPark, are the unimpressiveremains of a ferro-ceramic mine,which once produced poor qualityore for brick making.

The site basically consists of afew undulations and moundsbetween the junction of therivers Plym and Meavy. Parts ofsome buildings remain on themine site along with a possiblerun-in adit. The striking featureof the area is the odd red colourof the ground, no doubt due tothe iron. The site is now ownedby the National Trust who haveundertaken some preservation andconstruction of paths.

In the car park by Shaugh Bridgeare the substantial remains ofClay Dries dated '1895'. Byfollowing the footpath from hereover the river Plym then walkingupstream beside the Meavy,through the mine site, an openadit entrance can be found almosthidden by a clump of tree roots.Once inside, the level is about5' high and unlined.

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Shaugh Bridge Cont.. Mine SketchesA collection of coloured sketchesby Warrington Smythe, one of theearliest mines inspectors hascome to light, it contains 10views of the Shropshire MiningDistricts dated 1847. They areoffered for sale at £80 to £250each by Palace Books Ltd ofCaernarfon.

Telephone: (0286) 2960

Man-Engines

When you talk of man-engines -pumping engines that haveplatforms or footplates, (called'sollars') fitted to the pumprods so that men can stand onthem as the rods move up or down,thus using the pumping rods as asort of moving staircase. Youtend to think of the Isle of Manor more likely Cornwall.

There is also a strong probabilitythat you know of them throughthe disaster at Levant Tin Mineon the 20th of October 1919,when 31 miners were killed bythe pump rod 'cap' snappingcausing the pump rods to falldown the shaft killing the menwho were climbing the rods atthe time.

This disaster effectively calleda halt to the practice of usingman-engines in Britain (althoughthe one in the Isle of Mancontinued for sometimeafterwards).

However you may not be awarethat this method of mine accessoriginated in Germany in the1830s - its the old Germanconnection again!

At the time of the visit it wasnot possible to progress far dueto the corpse of a goat or largesheep blocking the way, completewith horrendous smell and anamazing 'stream' of maggotsmoving out of the adit presumablythey could not stand the smell!

About 20 feet beyond the corpsethe level seemed to changebecoming a dark brown earthycolour - thus it may havecollapsed or been filled fromthe surface.

While at the site it is worthwalking further up the hill toreach the bed of the DewerstoneQuarry tramway. By followingthe tramway up a very longincline, complete with numerousgranite sleepers, the remainsof the drum house (with parts ofthe drum axle surviving) can befound.

Within about a mile of ShaughBridge are several otherinteresting railway, tramway,Clay-works, mine and quarryfeatures worth exploring if youget the chance.

Interim Report"Jackfield and Broseley, fourthinterim report of the NuffieldArchaeological Survey of theIronbridge Gorge" by K.Clarkand J.Alfrey. Published by theIGMT June 1988. The reportcontains some very early materialon Shropshire mines, includinga plan of "Widdow Comptons Insetts1675" (Insetts are adit mines).

I.J.Brown

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S.C.M. Club Officers

Future TripsAs trips are likely to be changed at short notice future trip details willnot be printed in Below. For information about any trip contact SteveHolding.

President : David Adams

Chairman : Mike Moore

Secretary : Steve Holding

Treasurer : Bob Taylor

NAHMO Rep.: Mike Moore

Tacklemaster &Rescue Officer : Neal Rushton

Newsletter Editor: Kelvin Lake