Engine room (?) (photo) · AditNow Community

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John Lawson
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

13 years ago

Hi folks, when I see these Smallcleugh photos, have to think hard where they are and how they are accessed. Hence a fairly full description needs to accompany them.
I think it is on the original branch of Middlecleugh North Vein,accessed close to the gypsum corner junction going out bye .
This is in very collapsed ground. My interpretation of the collapsed sump was it was a large drawing sump where a windlass may have been erected rather than an actual engine room.

..

Photograph:

🔗Smallcleugh-Lead-Mine-User-Album-Image-75917[linkphoto]Smallcleugh-Lead-Mine-User-Album-Image-75917[/linkphoto][/link]

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RJV
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

Er, yes. Should caption things a bit better admittedly...

It is the Middlecleugh North Vein. Had always heard it was bad ground but never got round to having a look down there. It took an hour or two to clear a way through the first collapse but we were quite suprised how good the going was after the level leaves the initial shales.

Nice to get into a part of Smallcleugh without arrows painted on the wall or empty sardine cans littering the place!

blackshiver
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

Its amazing what people leave down Nenthead mines isn't it.
Perhaps we should run a competition for finding the most unusual abandoned item.

christwigg
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

Sadly even that rarely trodden area was subject to thoughtless litter.

[photo]Smallcleugh-Lead-Mine-User-Album-Image-75940[/photo]

I suppose that ones on the way to becoming a valuable historic artifact, but rarely a trip goes by that I don't find myself picking up others discarded drinks bottles and sweetie wrappers. :curse:

John Lawson
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

13 years ago

Hi Guys,
The beer can was not ours, though perhaps it was of my generation.
Thanks for clarifying the sumps location on the Smallcleugh random.
I am working from memory here, but interestingly further down the passage, you cut Carr's Cross vein, where a dig might access a flat never before seen!(rhs. Going in bye ).
Further on leads to a sump which goes via a stope into a branch of Capelcleugh horse level.
(some of the exploration we did in conjunction with WCMRG)
hope the info helps!

christwigg
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

Although I doubt anyone enjoys litter (except the occasional 80's Page 3 girl) as least the beer tins are rapidly rotting away.

Whereas any modern plastic bottles will be around for centuries.

I know the junction you're on about with the Carrs Cross Vein, looked like a fairly grotty level in collapsed shale with no hint of arching, but only looked at it for a moment or two.

P.S. getting beered up in mines, never seemed like the smartest idea to me, different times I suppose :lol:

John Lawson
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

13 years ago

Hi Chris, couldn't agree more with your alcoholic comments.
I always feel you have to concentrate 100% when underground and whilst alcohol is an initial stimulus it will probably lead you into taking unnecessary risks.
Digressing a little from the litter thread i would like to mention some of the strange activities we have seen in this mine!
perhaps others can add to the thread.
Camping used to take place in the North End Flats.
Frequently, around Halloween parties were also held here and the way in via the Hard Cross cut illuminated by night lights.
Perhaps the most bizarre, was a party we discovered in the ballroom playing ball with a large black dog!

royfellows
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

I know a few people who take dogs underground with little home brew lamps round their necks.
I was thinking of making a lamp that fixes rigidly onto a dog collar and with an adjustable bracket.
I bet that there would be a market for it!

My avatar is a poor likeness.

christwigg
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

Someone told me they once came across some lads smoking a 'jazz cigarette' in the crawls on the horse level. :blink:

royfellows
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

#10

Now a 'jazz cigarette'
I will have to think about this one

My avatar is a poor likeness.

gNick
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

#11

"royfellows" wrote:
I know a few people who take dogs underground with little home brew lamps round their necks.
I was thinking of making a lamp that fixes rigidly onto a dog collar and with an adjustable bracket.
I bet that there would be a market for it!

ah but you then need a non-rotating dog collar...

Mine isn't keen on the idea of SRT so he won't wear a harness. 😉

Don't look so embarrassed, it's a family trait...

Moorebooks
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

#12

"royfellows" wrote:
I know a few people who take dogs underground with little home brew lamps round their necks.
I was thinking of making a lamp that fixes rigidly onto a dog collar and with an adjustable bracket.
I bet that there would be a market for it!

My dog is happy underground I discovered at Snailbeach last weekend I would certainly be interested

Mike

christwigg
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

#13

Taking a dog underground has always seemed a bit odd to me.

But each to their own, as long as theres no dog-eggs left.

Moorebooks
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

#14

"christwigg" wrote:
Taking a dog underground has always seemed a bit odd to me.

But each to their own, as long as theres no dog-eggs left.

do you have a dog?

christwigg
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

#15

I have a cat and that's seriously not going to work.
:lol:

rikj
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

#16

I've often wondered whether a dog could be trained to sniff out mine entrances - I'm sure the right breed could be.

Also, would be interesting to see if a dog could find its way out of a (relatively) dry mine by following the scent of the trip in.

If I had a dog I would definately take it underground.

royfellows
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

#17

I can sniff out mine entrances
😉

My avatar is a poor likeness.

John Lawson
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

13 years ago

#18

Hi Roy,
I am sure with your background you can sniff out lots of things!
Did you never fancy sleeping in the North End flats, in your camping days up there?
Or was the possibility of meeting the ghost of long lost miners such as Thomas Dodds and George Hethrington too much of a deterrent!

christwigg
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

#19

"John Lawson" wrote:
Hi Roy,
Or was the possibility of meeting the ghost of long lost miners such as Thomas Dodds and George Hethrington too much of a deterrent!

Personally the lack of proximity to the Miners Arms would put the fear into me.

royfellows
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

#20

Remember when I used to camp under the trees on the high ground behind the 'chicken farm', now the 'dormant for the time being' visitor centre?

I wonder what this thread was originally about, we have had dogs, cats, lamps, and now camping.

My avatar is a poor likeness.