Whilst up late last night looking for mining info, I came across a website which mentions a lead mine in the village of Little Houghton, which is near to Bamburgh on the north east coast. It doesnt give any info except to say a mine was set up as early as 1763 that the galena bearing rock was part of the great Whin Sill but no amount of searching has turned up any more info.

I dont have a large collection of mining history books so I was wondering if anyone might have come across mention of this mine. The area was worked a lot for coal by small pits but this is the first mention of lead ore I have seen.

Any info would be great, thanks folks 🙂

Had a quick look to see what I could find for that area. In 'Lead & Zinc Ores of Northumberland & Alston Moor' (1923), S. Smith says -

The occurrence of lead ore was recorded as far back as 1814 by Winch, who says "Strings of ore have also been discovered on the coast of Northumberland at Elwick, nearly opposite to Holy Island and on the Eastern side of the island itself".
Also, "Fine pieces of galena were found north of the Coal Burn and west of the road leading from Hetton Coal Houses to Lowick....And the south end of Staples Island (The Farnes) and in the Whin Sill there is a small vein of galena at Beadnell on the foreshore to the north of the Whin Dyke there and between the Limestons, from which lead ore os said to have been got. It runs nearly due north."

Don't know if any of those tie in with what you are looking for? I'll have a better hunt for info tonight.

Thanks so much Heb. That is the exact area I have been looking into! I dont know much about geology but am guessing the lead veins formed along the Whin Sill in that area. I was just surprised to find mention of lead mining in this place. Its about time I got some more money spent at Moore Books I think!
Cheers :thumbsup:

Ah, was a bit too far north, Littlehoughton is nearer Alnwick, I've now found -

A vein was discovered in a small colliery between Rock Hall & Rock Moor House during the 18th C. The vein runs nearly SW to NE and having been found in working the coal upon a bed of sandstone. The ore is stated to have yielded only 10 oz of lead from sixteen oz of ore, and scarcely any silver at all.

A vein outcropping in the vicinity of Little Houghton was tried in the 18th C. and was described by Wallis as follows:-
A string or small vein, was lately discovered in the middle of the villa of Little Houghton: the ore, lodged in coarse spar, talc, and ordinary marcasite, found near the day. In good esteem, and was worked by the owner, Mr Henry Penreth, for some time, but now discontinued after a few trials.

Those refs. should keep you busy for a day or so, now off you go - we shall await a full report on all those locations in due course !!!!

Nice one Heb thats great info! I got confused with the location of Little Houghton, I thought it was further north. Will certainly have a drive up there to investigate any holes in the ground 🙂 Cheers!

The OS map shows a shaft at NU 22753 16752 and a quarry 200m south of that.

Also I wonder where that stream at NU 22558 16665 is coming from ?

As an aside, this little beauty at "The Limery" might be right up your street night photography wise.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/572638 

Thanks Chris, that Limery indeed looks just the job for our night photography!

If the mines were worked by shafts they could well be all blocked but I think an investigation for any adits could be worth a shot. I'll be checking out that limery so if I find anything else I'll report back. Cheers.

Been on holidays in this area and visited the limery which is a fantastic building, there are a few shafts around there but I have not found any that are open,there's another lime kiln,flooded quarry workings and shaft mounds near to Christon Bank a few miles North of the Little mill Kiln.

Dalesman
Snowed in at present