I recently saw underground, a length of triangular section launder (Launder as in duct to carry away water, in this particular case, to prevent water from entering workings below)
It was constructed from timber as is usual, but all the others I have ever seen have been square in section. Are these more common than I suspect or was the example I saw a bit of a rarity ?

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Interesting, Colonel!

I suppose a triangular launder would have a couple of advantages - easier to make; and less likely to clog up with silt.

On the down side, you'd need to excavate a trench to put it in, otherwise would need to be supported, which would negate the ease of construction argument.

Any pics?

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Hmmmm, it was constructed from good quality timber and was located in workings that are going to be approx 100yrs old, so not very ancient in the great scheme of things extractive.
Yep, I took a few pics. I'll upload a few this evening.

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[img]http://www.aditnow.co.uk/showimage?f=/community/Rachel-Wood-Lead-Mine-User-Album-Image-011/[/img]

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Looks like some miner/farmer found a new use for old sheep feeders.
Seriously though I can't remember ever seeing any that section before, it can't be very robust maybe it was a quick, cheap, temporary fix for the problem.

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How was it held upright? That isn't obvious in the photos (at least not to me anyway).

How was it held upright? That isn't obvious in the photos (at least not to me anyway).

Er.. its on the ground......

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Surely, being triangular it would tip over unless supported in some way? Unless, as Simon suggested, it was in a trench, which doesn't appear to be the case in the photos.

Surely, being triangular it would tip over unless supported in some way? Unless, as Simon suggested, it was in a trench, which doesn't appear to be the case in the photos.

'Twas Vanoord that suggested it! ;)

Looks like it was in a trench to me?

It also looks like a temporary installation, intended to be moved as and when - it's made of 'panels' that overlap rather than a continuous section like this one in Cwmorthin:

🔗Cwmorthin-01-03-2007-Image-001[linkphoto]Cwmorthin-01-03-2007-Image-001[/linkphoto][/link]

Of course, calling the thing 'temporary' when it's survived so long might be considered a bit of a misnomer, but I'd suggest that people knew how to make things properly back in those days!

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who do you contact to get in rachel wood,i saw the sign there but strangley enouth i didnt have a pen with me to write details down(have to start carrying one) and is it true you have to be a member of a recognised caving club to get in.

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How was it held upright? That isn't obvious in the photos (at least not to me anyway).

It looks like it's just been dropped into a shallow scrape and wedged with the odd rock where needed - if the floor's soft enough you could maybe get away with just dragging a mattock to cut it. I agree that it does have a very temporary look about it, either until something more substantial can be put in or to channel water way from a trial that may end up being backfilled if it doesn't prove worthwhile.

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who do you contact to get in rachel wood,i saw the sign there but strangley enouth i didnt have a pen with me to write details down(have to start carrying one) and is it true you have to be a member of a recognised caving club to get in.

Caving Club ... Huh ??

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erm...you know i suppose a mining club wouldnt sound right im sure last time i was there it said only recognised clubs with insurance could gain access on the sign just in the portal,i feel im digging a hole for myself here...pardon the pun. :oops:

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Yep, actually the site is controlled by the Forestry Commission. To get the required permits & the key does involve quite a bit of beaurocracy, sorry I cant offer any details as another member of our group arranged it.

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Just found this thread; its rather old but hopefully this reply may be of interest.

Have seen trangular launders a few times in non-ferrous mines in mid and, I think (memory hazy - apologies) North Wales. The two I can particualrly bring to mind appeared to be permanent installations rather than temporary; both were wedged in place with loose rocks. One was assembled from planking about 4" x 1"; the other about 9" x 9". The former was in two or three lengths; regrettably I cannot recall details of the joins. The latter was a single length.

I concur that ease of manufacture must have been an attractive factor. Propping them in place with loose rocks would have been straightforward. They would have only one joint to potentially leak compared to two joints in the more commonly encountered square section launder. However, triangular launders would have had smaller capacities than square section launders.

Incidentally, 'vee launder' would be a less ambiguous term.

Seem to remember they were very prominent in California Gold Rush & Western movies, usually supported by a crossed plank arrangement?

I would guess the main attraction would be ease of construction, only one joint; and it could be either supported on crossed uprights or in a shallow scrape, and its own weight would tend to hold it together, unlike a square one

it's also true that it would tend to be self-cleaning, in the same way that historic brick sewers are usually egg-shaped, and modern ones sometimes have a false invert with a small half-round invert section

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