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Boy Engineer
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

14 years ago

I'm trying to find some information about an explosive called Rockrift (or Rock Rift). I believe it was made by Cooke's Explosives at Penrhyndeudraeth (either before and/or after ICI took over). Other than an obscure reference in some Hong Kong legislation I can't find anything else on the web. Distance precludes a quick trip to the Gwynedd Record Office where the Cooke's papers are lodged and nothing has yet come from a contact with some ex-employees. Anyone know anything about it? Keen to know when it was in production and a bit more about its strength etc.

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Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

Appears to be listed as "Nobel's Explosive No. 1329".

Edit: Irrelevant pdf removed.

Phil Ford
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

We used to use an explosive made at Cookes called Rockite they changed the name about 1977 to Trimobel. It was used for pre-splitting in large blasts. It came in 30inch sticks 3/4 inch diameter, each stick had a cardboard collar so that the sticks could be coupled together.

NickPeak
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Newbie

14 years ago

Recent arrival at the Peak District Mining Museum - explosives box, source unknown and marked:

ROCKITE
BLASTING CARTRIDGES
Permitted Explosive
Class 3 Division 1

The box has a garter crest with

CURTISS & HARVEY, LONDON

and a dragon in the centre of the crest.

Is this of any help?

Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

The Rockite and Rockrift seem to be a different grades?

Nobel's Explosive No. 1321 Rockite
Nobel's Explosive No. 1329 Rockrift Powder

Mr.C
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

"Morlock" wrote:

The Rockite and Rockrift seem to be a different grades?

Nobel's Explosive No. 1321 Rockite
Nobel's Explosive No. 1329 Rockrift Powder

Must have stopped making it a while back. 1329 was no longer on the HSE Approved List in 1985 - the earlyist one I have unfortunatly.

We inhabit an island made of coal, surrounded by a sea full of fish. How can we go wrong.......

Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

Although both grades are on this 'Dangerous Goods' list I suspect the Version Date is meaningless?

http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/CurAllEngDoc/12DFC747CCE387F0C82564830029E75B?OpenDocument

Mr.C
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

I think you may be misreading the list, it's actualy two separate columns, so 1329 & Rockrift are separate entities IINM.

We inhabit an island made of coal, surrounded by a sea full of fish. How can we go wrong.......

Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

"Mr.C" wrote:
I think you may be misreading the list, it's actualy two separate columns, so 1329 & Rockrift are separate entities IINM.

I suspect you may be correct. 😞 😉

Boy Engineer
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

14 years ago

#10

Thanks for the responses so far - all helpful!

Ben Cooper
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

#11

Rockite is briefly mentioned in a 1921 Nobel's booklet as a blasting powder, similar to Quarry Dynobel. I can't find any mention in any Nobel's literature of Rockrift...

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