MineRover1
9 years ago
Hi all,

During a walk this afternoon at Botallack I noticed what appears to be a shaft that has opened up in a grass field opposite the mines Count House, Please see the photograph below.

It appears to be in line with another shaft lower down the access road that is surrounded by a stone hedge.

Has anyone any ideas if this is a shaft and if so what could it be?

There is another more distant shot in the Botallack gallery but being this is my first post I am unsure how to link any more photos!

Photograph:

🔗105076[linkphoto]105076[/linkphoto][/link]
wheal
  • wheal
  • 50.2% (Neutral)
  • Newbie
9 years ago
The shaft with the stone wall around it is I believe Botallack Engine Shaft. The shaft that has opened in the field could be Davy Shaft. I will go take a geek later.
poke around long enough and you'll find something..
polo
  • polo
  • 50.2% (Neutral)
  • Newbie
9 years ago
I saw the hole when it first opened up in early January. I suspect it could be an access raise from the gunnis which runs the length of the field roughly parallel to the access road or is the gunnis itself. There are three other depressions in a line near the hole, the one furthest away inland has been open for many years, being periodically filled by the farmer as it settles.
lipsi
  • lipsi
  • 50.2% (Neutral)
  • Newbie
9 years ago
This was covered in the Cornishman on Feb 3rd. See link:
http://www.cornishman.co.uk/shaft-opens-Botallack/story-28661874-detail/story.html 
Where there's a mine or a hole in the ground.
That's where I'm heading for that's where I'm bound
So follow me down Cousin Jack
(Grateful thanks to Show of Hands)
wheal
  • wheal
  • 50.2% (Neutral)
  • Newbie
9 years ago
Just been and had a look. Its close to Botallack Engine Shaft but do not now think it is Davy Shaft. Did not get chance to get close enough to look down it. (A very helpful young lady on a bike asked if I was lost). Agree with Polo that it could be old workings 'settling'. There is a lot of workings in that area according to Dines. Would be good to get a closer look to see the depth of the collapse.
poke around long enough and you'll find something..
rufenig
9 years ago
Where's all the drone flyers when you want one?

Ok I know it's too windy today!
Morlock
9 years ago
"rufenig" wrote:

Ok I know it's too windy today!



Fairly rough everywhere today.

http://www.xcweather.co.uk/ 
MineRover1
9 years ago
Thanks for the reply's interesting stuff Polo that it could be a gunnis settling, I have not been brave enough to go anywhere near it Wheal as the ground is very wet.

We need calm weather (!) and a drone flyer to take a peek, shame they will plug it pity they could not put another hedge around it and leave it open.

polo
  • polo
  • 50.2% (Neutral)
  • Newbie
9 years ago
Lodes in the area are near vertical, The rock either side of the lode would be fairly solid, I wouldn't think there would be a problem in looking directly down the hole - that is the traditional way of finding out before drones were thought of.

The farmer says in the Cornishman report that the depth is 10 - 15 ft, presumably he found this out when he erected the fence around it.
pyromark
9 years ago
UserPostedImage
Exploring the mines of Cornwall and making some bloody good mates on the way!
MineRover1
9 years ago
Maybe I will get brave enough to venture closer Polo, after peering down Allen's shaft I lost my nerve! :o

Great photo Pyromark thanks for that.

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