Quarterly Journal of the Shropshire Caving & Mining Club Winter Issue No: 2013.4 2014 BCA Handbook Mine Truck Vandalised The latest issue of the BCA At the NAMHO Council meeting in ‘furious’ over the situation, which Handbook is now available online at: November members were shocked to amounts to criminal damage and theft www.british-caving.org.uk hear of the vandalising of the and is threatening to withdraw The pdf is surviving intact truck in Lower Balls access to the mine. password Green Stone mine (Club members may protected to try have seen the truck on a visit to the Following this meeting, cavers from and protect the mine during NAMHO 2010). the Forest of Dean have suggested email addresses prosecuting the people concerned or listed from It was claimed that people involved at the very least forcing them to spammers. So to with the Moseley Railway Trust repair the truck. open it you will (associated with Apedale Heritage What adds to the disbelief in this need the Centre), who are building a replica of case is that the act has reportedly password: the truck needed certain parts for been carried out on behalf of a bcahandbook their replica, so they entered the mine preservation trust with the stated Open Access - Wales with battery powered tools and cut aims “Moseley Railway Trust exists off the bits they need from the to preserve, conserve and interpret The updated provisional open access original! maps for Wales are available online locomotives, vehicles and other at: http://tinyurl.com/kkhleaz The land owner is quite rightly artefacts pertaining to the industrial The updates have followed the legal narrow gauge railway”! 10 year review of Open Access areas Below: NAMHO Secretary Nigel Dibben beside the formerly intact Lower in Wales (the law has now been Balls Green Mine truck during NAMHO 2010. (Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings) changed so the areas are reviewed every 20 years to save money). The final ‘conclusive’ maps will be issued in September 2014. Descent

“Below” 2013.4 1 News Round-Up 1 Ivor Brown

Pit Profiles The Special Exhibition “Pit Profiles” In October Ivor Brown gave a talk in About 60 persons attended. The at Coalbrookdale has nearly ended. It the adjoining room, assisted by Shropshire Miners banner was again has proved quite popular, especially Kelvin Lake, on the persons on display, probably for the last time the small supplementary exhibition mentioned above and on the as it is now beginning to show its adding a local perspective. The Shropshire Pits of their time. This age. missing “portrait” of Coalbrookdale’s included portraits of “representative” to the collection has other miners, some still not been found, but the display taken underground in did include the original portraits of the 1960s, including Lawson Rope from Highley/Alveley representatives from Colliery and “Warwickshire Kemberton Pit, The representative” Frederick Morgan Rock, Shortwoods (who originally came from Highley). and Burgam. Left: Pit Profile image of Lawson Roper driving the winding engine. Right: The Shropshire Miners banner on display during Ivor’s talk. Broseley “Well” fall Reports appeared in local papers and 6ft down the 30ft to 40ft deep well the Daily Telegraph in October of a and contacted her employers on her Care worker who fell down a well mobile phone while hanging onto when the path collapsed as she was tree roots, they in turn alerted the taking rubbish out to the bin for an Fire Service. She was rescued elderly client. She landed on a ledge unharmed after 40 minutes. Steam Lorries H.A.L.Price of Dawley owned coal retired their steam wagon fleet and On 6th July 2012 the Shropshire Star and clay mines until about 1957. purchased a fleet of Bedford trucks printed the picture below (sent in by They also had a fleet of “Sentinel of (see photo in “Archive Photos - Ron Honeywell) of H.A.L.Price’s S4 Shrewsbury” steam waggons for South Telford” by J.Powell & others, tipping wagon purchased in 1933. haulage until the 1930s. page 38 and 39). In 1977 the derelict chassis of this The November 2013 issue of Local old miners told the writer in vehicle (UJ2112, Sentinel No.8843) “Vintage Glory” magazine contains a 1971 that in the end the steam was purchased by John Goold and picture of one of the waggons being waggons were used to carry ash from Family who eventually completed it’s used as a side-tipper for coal the site of the old Lawley Furnace for restoration back to its original body delivery. It also tells the story of how road construction. When the style of a working 3 way tipper. More industry was turning away from coal contract was finished they were details can be found on the Sentinel power to oil in the 1930s, miners were pushed in to the “quarry” and Drivers Club web site: unemployed, and demand for the covered over. When the writer www.sentinelwaggons.co.uk/ Sentinel waggons was falling. To get investigated the site it was covered preservation_stype.htm - click the their message to Parliament the by woodland. At least one lorry link to 8843 ‘The company parked two of the waggons seems to have escaped, the one Brown Waggon’ outside the Houses of Parliament mentioned in the magazine - with the messages “Every pound of this it says is now in fuel this vehicle uses means work, preservation. wages and comfort for British Men, women and children”, “British Does anyone feel Miners need work” and “for every 2 like digging in the Sentinel waggons put into service, Furnace site, to enough work would be provided for find the others? one additional miner”. The campaign failed - some months later H.A.L.Price

2 “Below” 2013.4 Tuesday Summer Walks 2013 Mike Shaw

25th June Having seen all the findable portions 30th July Bad planning left the proposed walk of this end of the flue we looked A week later what should have been to Calcot on 25th June short of round the mine site, this was partly the last of last years walks finally participants as several potential for the benfit of our visitor from took place, to Medlicott mine. ones were in Cornwall. Having Yorkshire, who had not been here cancelled arrangements to meet the before, and partly for us ‘locals’ to Beyond Murchison noting in 1839 owners of the mine one member see the reconstructed spiral classifier, that the Snailbeach company had joined me and we had a pleasant walk jig etc and the preparations for a been there, no history is known. We from adjoining Cliffdale mine to building to cover it. were joined by Ian Langford who had Roundtain where we scrambled up to previously visited the site in the the adit entrance and looked at the The evening was rounded off with a 1970s. His memory was that there had site which an information board says visit to the Stiperstones Inn where been a ‘hole’ which looked more like was the mine site, this may possibly introductions were made to people stoping than a shaft in a farmyard to have been quarried or may just be who owned some of the land to be the south of the road SO 3995 9462, covered in natural scree but there covered in the following week’s the lie of the land was convincing were no clear signs of mining. walk. though the ‘hole’ had been filled. Adjoining it was a concrete retaining 16th July 23rd July wall of some age and though After a break six of us met at That following week we started at the presumably of agricultural origin it is Snailbeach on 16th July and walked smelter where much propping and very tempting to try and suggest that down the top part of the flue which clearance has been done and it could date from the short-lived served the smelter and the pumping maintained. The route of the flue is copper ‘boom’ c1917-1920. It would engine’s boilers. Most of the smelter known in a general sense but it is actually be surprising if miners had flue is now no more than a ditch, but only apparent as a ditch in places. not looked at this mine both then and the flue joining it from the boiler during a similar boom in the 1860s, house is still partially intact (and part A chance meeting with Andy Yapp but enough dangerous speculation. covered by a by now poorly fitting gained us an invitation to cross a grid) sufficient for a member of the field to see a very short length of its The visible remains are to the north party (Sally Bassham) to crawl a brickwork. Other small portions of the of the road and look to follow a vein short way in (see picture below). flue are known to survive. from the top of the hill behind the ruins of the Manor House down to

Below: View inside the flue. Right: The small entrance (covered with a log) into the remains of the flue in a field near Andy Yapp’s house.

Right: View into the remains of the flue, now largely back- filled.

Pictures: Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings

“Below” 2013.4 3 Tuesday Summer Walks 2013 continued ... the stream SO 3995 9475. There is certainly an adit and (re-graded) spoil run by the stream and probably an adit and small spoil run above it. Quite a number of malachite stained rocks were found at both spoil runs along with a bit of barytes and a speck of what was said to be bornite - Nick Southwick and Ian Langford has a lengthy discussion on bornite at this point!

The 1902 1:2,500 map shows a shaft at the top of the hill of which we found no sign other than disturbed ground.

A very pleasant short visit courtesy Above: View from the road into the farmyard with the depression on the left of the Randall family of Hall Farm. which Ian Langford remembered as the top of a stope, rather than a shaft. Is the curved retaining wall of agricultural significance or mining releted? Retreat was made to the Horseshoe the drinkers very well) so we had no Inn at Bridges where folk dance choice but to call at the hostelry. teams from Bishops Castle were blocking the road (nominally Suggestions (other than doing the rehearsing in the absence of their Summer evening walks in the winter) usual venue but actually entertaining for next year would be welcomed.

Left: Members of the folk groups dancing in the street by the Horseshoe Inn.

Pictures: Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings

Below left: Ian Langford and Mike Shaw at Medlicott Mine. Above: View looking up the hill to Hall Farm from a landscaped mine Ian Langford tip with a possible run-in adit visible 1935-2013 at the end of it. It was with great sadness that Peter Eggleston and myself learnt that Ian Langford Below: A sample of malachite stained rock - passed away suddenly on numerous specimins like this could be found Sunday 17th November in scatterred across the hillside. Shrewsbury Hospital following a bout of pneumonia. We have known him for over 35 years, both as a tutor at University and as a Director, Trustee and Committee member of the Dudley Canal Trust. His knowledge of physics, geology and canals will be sorely missed. Kelvin

4 “Below” 2013.4 Elusive Cast Iron Plaque from the Snailbeach Mine Nick Southwick

Some considerable time ago I took on him a reprimand. However, before I the task of tracking down the original did so he shouted “I’ve have 1848 cast iron plaque that used to be something that you may be of attached above the entrance to the interest to you” letting him have the Day Level at the Snailbeach Mine. benefit of the doubt I let him park and Many stories and myths had come to have his say, It was good job I did my attention of where it may have for he had turned up with yet another ended up, stories such as: cast iron plaque that he had rescued from the mine site in the 1960’s whilst “ Many years ago one of the working for Joe Roberts moving spar. Demolition of the Snailbeach S.C.M.C. lads took away for safe Smelter Chimney circa 1920. keeping” The gentleman in question was quite (Ken Lock Collection) “ Some one had taken it to a joker and made out that the plaque research and was told that the Scotland” was going to stay with him unless we manageress had purchased the “ It’s at the Bishops Castle Railway offered him a considerable amount of plaque at an auction many years ago Museum” money for the purchase, this of she had previously run The Three “ It’s been seen in the Tallyllyn course was out of the question. Tuns where she had the plaque on Railway Museum” display until she took over “ It’s been made into a table top” However, just as he was about to drive off and with a smile on his face management of the Craven Arms “ It was once at The Three Tuns Hotel where again it was put it on Brewery in Bishops Castle” he said “I’m only joking, you can have it, it is where it belongs” display. Investigation of all avenues sadly at This sign is the same size as the Day So in conclusion the Day Level this point in time have come to plaque was never seen at The Three nothing. However, The Three Tuns Level one but dated 1846 and supposedly came from the Crusher Tuns only the Snailbeach Smelter connection did prove to be plaque. interesting as you will find out House so thanks to this kind further in this account. gentleman it is now in the ownership Now for the best bit ! of the Trust. It was obvious that at the time of my The 1840s Plaques visit to the Craven Arms Hotel the sign was not going to be for sale. However, it was suggested that I would be allowed to make a silicone pattern so that we could reproduce it at a later date, this never took place and I soon forgot about its existence. Then three months ago Peter Sheldrake had a phone call from the The 1846 plaque, reputedly from the crusher house. (Nick Southwick) lady who had now given up being Ken Lock’s reproduction Day Level manageress at the Craven Arms plaque. (Nick Southwick) Back to The Three Tuns Hotel and was now prepared to sell About five years ago I had sent to the sign to us. A lot of running Anyway, after the fruitless searches me by Georgia Lloyd, one our around and negotiations took place and through discussion it was younger members a photograph of and finally through the efforts of decided to make a reproduction of yet another Snailbeach Company Peter and I the Trust is now the the Day Level plaque and the late cast iron plaque, this was attached to proud owner of the plaque. Another Ken Lock with his engineering skills the lounge wall of the Craven Arms important piece of Shropshire mining came to our aid, he carefully took Hotel as a feature! history saved for the future. measurements from photographic evidence, made a pattern and had Having looked at the photograph I If anyone has any further information two new ones cast at the Blist Hill knew that this was the 1832 plaque to the whereabouts of the original Museum, Ironbridge. It is one of that was being held by demolition 1848 Day Level plaque please feel these signs that is now fixed over the men featured in a famous old free to contact me. entrance to the level. photograph (circa 1920) whilst in the throws of demolishing the Snailbeach Some years later at one of our Lead Smelter Chimney at Pontesford. Heritage Weekends a gentleman Shortly having received the photo pulled up and parked in the disabled from Georgia I took a visit to the 1832 Snailbeach Company Smelter bay on the mine site. Showing no Craven Arms Hotel to do future disabled badge I was about to give Chimney plaque. (Nick Southwick)

“Below” 2013.4 5 Remains at the Benthall Edge Drift Mines David Poyner

The last mine of any type to work in This tramway probably also clay which appear to have been the Ironbridge Gorge was the Viger originally extended eastwards to another attempt to work the area by Drift Mine on Benthall Edge, which reach the road and connect with the the Broseley road. The second plan closed in 1952. For many years, Ivor route of the older line to the roadside shows the “Viger Clay Mine”, Brown has pointed out the drifts, as this is shown as a well- abandoned in 1952 . This was a pair importance of the industrial defined, but rail-less track on the of drifts sunk just to the east of the archaeology of this mine and its 1902 map (Figure 1). junction between the main tramway immediate forerunners and some and the line over the bridge; club members will be aware that he The 1927 1:2500 map shows further workings are shown above the has been keen for a record to be changes, with the 1902 drift now Randle clay in what was claimed to made of a ventilating furnace at the abandoned and the east-west track be the Viger Clay. The plan also mouth of one of the drifts. Whilst the cut back by about 100 feet. However, shows the 1928 roadside drifts and industrial archaeology of the edge two new levels are marked, one adits (b), (c) and (d) from 1942 has been studied previously, the immediately south of the right angle although the roadways are as reports are often hard to access or junction on the tramway system and marked in 1942. lack detail . In August this year another, roughly 200 feet west of (2013), a small group from the club this, with track emerging from its The ownership of the drifts changed visited the site to measure and mouth to join the main tramway several times (Table 1), largely photograph this; in subsequent (Figure 1). following that of the Bowers Yard visits, a number of other features brickyard. This passed to the Jones Fortunately two mining plans survive family around 1890 and then to have also been recorded. This article that give further details of both the summarises what has been done. Alfred and John Bennett from about operations shown on the OS maps 1908, by which time it was known as History and also developments subsequently Benthall Firebrick Works. At the end (Figure 2). The first shows workings Mining on Benthall Edge probably of the First World War, the mines to 1942 at “Benthall Lane Mine”. and perhaps the brickworks were started in medieval times and there There were six adits (a’, a-e) were extensive collieries in this area sublet to S. Genner and from 1925 HB although (e) only served previously Smith appears as owner. From about in the 17th century. The coal was abandoned workings and appears to eventually worked out but attention 1934 the works were taken over by correspond to the drift shown as the Benthall Stoneware Company then moved to the valuable seams of closed in 1927. The tramway by this fireclay. Brickmaking was underway who made sanitary pipes at the stage had been further cut back and Bower Yard brickworks as well as the at Bower Yard, just west of the Iron did not go beyond the adit which in Bridge in Benthall by the 1790s. former Releigh pipe works in 1927 had track emerging from its Benthall. From the early 19th century the mouth. The mining was all said to be Burton family ran the brickyard and in the Randle clay. The Bower Yard site and mines specialised in making fire bricks. It continued to operate under the name obtained much of its clay from This map also marks two drifts of the Benthall Firebrick Works. Both workings on Benthall Edge and by nominally abandoned in December concerns were run by William Hulse 1846 there was a tramway from the 1928 and claimed to be in the Viger who went bankrupt by 1945 . The works curving south-east to reach mines on the road from Broseley to Ironbridge (Figure 1). This tramway is marked on the 1st series Ordnance Survey (OS) 1:2500 map of 1882 but it had been diverted at its north end to cross over the Severn Valley Railway on a bridge.

By the time of the 1902 2nd series map, there had been significant changes. The track leading to the roadside mines had been removed and instead the line from the railway bridge had been extended due south for around another 100 feet. It then turned sharply west, to run parallel to the railway but at a higher level, Figure 1. Mines and tramways on Benthall Edge shown on OS maps, 1882- reaching an adit after around 400 feet. 1927. The key indicates the maps on which the tramways appear.

6 “Below” 2013.4 Remains at the Benthall Edge Drift Mines contunied ... final owners were Benthall Stoneware (Ironbridge) Ltd who continued to make pipes at the old brickworks until 1955 . Following abandonment, the area was landscaped in the 1970s to turn it into a picnic area; this caused some loss of archaeological features. A possible chronology of the mines is that until the late 1890s, workings were largely centred around adits and shafts close to the Broseley road. After these became exhausted, the drifts closer to the railway were opened, as shown on the 1902 OS map.

The somewhat confusing references Figure 2. Mine workings on Benthall Edge from the 1942 and 1952 mine in the List of Mines (Table 1) to plans. Drifts a-e are discussed in the text. Dates of working are also “Benthall Level”, “Coppice Level” shown; D, December; M, March, J, June. and “(Bentley) No 2 Level” may landscaping may also have played a the brake drum supported on reflect the existence of two or part in its degradation. There is a horizontal beams at the top of the perhaps three distinct sets of drifts short and very crude wall (w, Figure frame. There would only have been as shown on the abandonment plans 1), partly made of pipe fragments set very limited clearance for the tubs with the most westerly (ie drift (e), in mortar, just south of the west beneath the drum; they are likely to Figure 2) being abandoned c1915 and parapet of the bridge, presumably have stood around 3’ above rail level. the tramway was then cut back to the built after the works had been The junction between the incline and length shown on the 1927 OS map. adapted to make sanitary pipes. It drift branch of the tramway may have Similarly, “Broseley Level”, recorded may have been built to protect the been via a turntable or a jigging plate as not worked in 1918, may refer to Severn Valley line from runaway as there is little space for a turnout. the drifts by the Broseley road. By trucks. There was only a very limited landing 1920 two adits were used for at the top of the incline to attach the movement of coal; probably (a) and The incline in existence by 1902 is rope to the tubs; they may have either (c) or (d) with the others simply much clearer and is the main descended singly. used for ventilation. These drifts footpath. The gradient steepens formed the “Benthall Lane Mine” that considerably once clear of the bridge. The adits was officially abandoned in 1942. It was presumably a self-acting The entrances of adits (a) to (e) of However, work was then moved to incline and the passing loop must Benthall Lane Mine all seem to be the east to a new operation at the have been at the extreme south end visible. Adit (a) is almost opposite “Viger Clay Mine”, possibly of the bridge. As the bridge is the top of the incline. The Viger Clay accompanied by at least some 7’4”wide, to accommodate a double Mine drift entrances as well as adit attempts at reworking the roadside track for the loop, it is likely that the (a’) of Benthall Lane Mine are in drift and drifts (b), (c) and (d) of gauge of the tramway was around 2’. disturbed ground and are no longer Benthall Lane. distinct. At the junction of the incline with the Mining-related remains. east-west tramway, the 1902 and The ventilating furnace The tramway incline subsequent maps mark a square (SJ 6709 0328) It is possible to trace most of the building. This no longer exists, but About 25 yards west from the incline tramways found on the various maps. either side of the incline are two low, top is a drift entrance . This probably The tramway bridge over the Severn long brick plinths, each with two 1- corresponds to adit (b) in Figure 2. Valley Railway was rebuilt in 1902 . inch diameter holding-down bolts Either side of the mouth of the drift is As noted, originally the tramway (Figure 3) . These presumably a low brick wall; that on the east side went south-east from the end of the supported the brake drum for the is extended to form a probable bridge to reach drifts along the road. incline. The bolts extend 2’6” above ventilating furnace (Figures 4 and 5). This alignment is now indistinct; it the brick plinths; probably they were This is a little over 4’ wide by almost may have been damaged by the post- associated with a timber frame that 5’ long and 3’ high. Facing the drift is 1942 drifts although the 1970’s has now gone, with the bearing for a probable stoke hole 3’ long, with its

“Below” 2013.4 7 Remains at the Benthall Edge Drift Mines contunied ...

bolted together Ivor Brown has pointed out that at (Figure 5d). the Rock fireclay mine, the use of a Clearly they are fire bucket to establish an air current much wider than was only allowed when men were not the 23” needed to down the mine. fit the hole on top of the furnace and About 10 yards further to the west is would probably a second drift . This corresponds to need to be cut to the drift marked (c) in Figure 2. This fit over the has a similar pair of walls at its mouth combined diameter as the first drift (Figure 6). However, of the hole and instead of one of these being locating lugs. extended to form a furnace, there is a gap of 2’6” and then there are a pair The way in which of walls, 2’6” apart. These go back the furnace just over 4’ into hill; behind them is a operated is not hollow about 3’ by 4’. This would entirely clear. One accommodate the metal tubes possibility is that suggested to be from a former Figure 3. Brake drum at the head of the roof of the chimney. There are traces of a metal the tramway incline. Above a) plan drift was continued all the way to the plate or lintel over the top of the and elevation. low brick wall at the drift mouth. At walls. This structure may be another Below b) east plinth showing bolts. this point there would have been a ventilating furnace. It would have door which served as an air lock. A been a long oblong structure and fire lit in the furnace would of course would have been awkward to fire. It draw air from out of the drift, through may have been earlier than the the stoke hole or ash pit and up the furnace at drift (b); the shape of the chimney when the door was closed. latter drift suggests that it was cut to It would have been very awkward to connect with a pre-existing drift at stoke the fire from inside the drift (c). The two furnaces may have been unless the roof of the drift were much used together, or that at (b) may have higher than the surviving walls, but a replaced the one at (c). They were man standing outside the door could both probably constructed at some easily do this job. Of course, he time between 1902 and 1927 and must would short-circuit the air current top supported by an iron lintel. As have been abandoned when the mine every time he opened the door, but can be seen in Figure 5, much of the closed by 1952. once lit, the furnace would probably furnace is buried so there may be not have needed much attention and The abandonment plan is consistent important details that this account in addition, the momentum of a with a further furnace at the mouth of misses. The arrangement for the ash moving air column would probably drift (a’), to help ventilation down pit is unclear. The fire was sustain the ventilation during the drift (a), but as the former drift mouth presumably supported on iron bars short period the furnace was stoked. can no longer be traced, this cannot and it is likely that the ash was be proven. simply raked out from beneath this, There is no convincing trace of a through the bottom of the stoke hole. door but a wooden structure may not There are a few other artefacts However, no support for any grate is have left much trace and the associated with the drifts. At drift (b) visible and without excavation, the presence of a second, internal door there are a number of pieces of plate arrangements at the base of the stoke cannot be ruled out due to the extent rail. It is quite likely that the 19th hole must remain uncertain. The of collapsed ground where it might century tramways that served the furnace is covered by an iron plate have been located. The other option brick works used plate rail and it not with a 23” diameter hole in the top is that the drift entrance was further impossible that this continued into which once supported an iron into the hillside and there was a the 20th century. However, chimney. Four ~6” locating lugs were connection to the furnace by a pipe, particularly after the First World War, used to secure this. The chimney is perhaps entering via its base, but it is likely that flat-bottomed rail or said to have been reused as part of a there is no visible evidence for this. bridge rail would have been laid. The culvert that takes Bowers Brook Given the limited amount of the plate rail in this case may been under a spoil dump from a limestone furnace currently visible, excavation reused as lintels or simply posts. A quarry. This culvert is made of a would be instructive. Use of the further section of plate rail is close to number of 34” diameter, 3’ long pipes furnace was probably intermittent; the Broseley road, by the tramway

8 “Below” 2013.4 Remains at the Benthall Edge Drift Mines contunied ...

Figure 4. Plan and elevations of the ventilating furnace.

Figure 5. Ventilating furnace: Note: The measuring rods are each 1 m in length with black divisions at 6” intervals.

5a) looking towards the drift mouth 5b) top of furnace

5c) detail of locating lugs for chimney

5d) possible chimney, now a culvert.

Pictures 5a-5c: Ian Cooper. 3 and 5d David Poyner

“Below” 2013.4 9 Remains at the Benthall Edge Drift Mines contunied ... abandoned between 1882 and 1902. Table 1 There is also a section of rattle chain Owners and men employed at at the mouth of drift (c). Benthall Level/Benthall Lane/Viger Drift Other features. Date Owner Men Notes For completeness, it should be noted that close to the end of the tramway 1891 Jones Brothers Manager Thos Humphries and the 1902 level there is a powder 1896 Adam J Jones 5 total Manager C.R. Jones magazine . This is approximately a 1907 Adam Jones 1s, 4u/g Known as Benthall Level yard square, with brick walls, a a vaulted roof and an iron-framed door. 1908 A. Jones 3 s, 5u/g Manager A. Jones At the other extremity of the site, the 1910 Bennett Brothers 3 total Benthall Level, two entrances to the Viger Drift Manager A. Jones nominally abandoned in 1928 have b been extensively recorded . The one 1915 Bennett Brothers Benthall Level, closed is brick arched and the other is 1918 S. Genner, Benthall supported by corrugated iron; there Firebrick Works c 1s, 3u/g Known as Benthall Level was also a corrugated iron hut close by. The corrugated iron at the drift 1923 S. Genner entrance and the hut have been 1924 J.H. Bennett Operator H.B. Smith convincingly interpreted as being 1925 H.B. Smith 5 total Benthall Level, made from Anderson air raid shelters, indicating that the Viger Drift was in Manager T. Corfield fact reopened after the Second World 1938 Benthall Firebrick works 1s, 5u/g Known as Benthall Lane War by the Benthall (Ironbridge) 1945 Benthall Firebrick worksd 1s, 5u/g Coal and clay worked Stoneware company . None of these features have been inspected in the 1948 Benthall Stoneware current project. (Ironbridge) Ltd 2u/g Known as Viger Drift Acknowledgements 1949 Benthall Stoneware The recording team consisted of Ian (Ironbridge) Ltd 1s, 2u/g Known as Viger Drift Cooper, Kelvin Lake, Pete Eggleston, 1950 Benthall Stoneware Neal Rushton and Gareth Rushton. (Ironbridge) Ltd 2u/g Known as Viger Drift Ivor Brown made valuable comments on a draft of this article. I have freely borrowed from all of their ideas for Key the interpretation of the features. s, surface; u/g, underground. Details are ultimately from List of Mines or HM Inspectorate of Mining reports, as accessed from Brown, 2001 and www.broseley.org.uk a Also Coppice Level, J. Bennett owner, employing 2 men. b Also owned No 2 Level c Also owned Bentley No 2 Level (closed) and Broseley Level (not worked). d Also owned Benthall Coal Pit, discontinued October 1943.

Figure 6 Plan and elevation of potential second ventilating furnace.

10 “Below” 2013.4 John Evans’ Work Books, part 2 Mike Shaw

New Central account should include this road on this mine are for sundries in and At the period of Mr Evans’ activity the other side of the valley) and ‘rails some barytes out between May 1888 this was being worked by the same from lower level’. and Jun 1889, this leaves the company as Mytton Dingle above. possibility that the name of the mine Apart from the air pipes noted Nicknolls and North Nicknolls rather than the mine changed. If not it previously Mr Evans hauled nothing Previous research has suggested that is difficult to see which mine is away from the mine, but between July this mine was closed by 1883 (OS which. At the 1883 OS 1:2,500 the 1872 and February 1873 brought in 1:2,500 map) and found no sign of northernmost shaft of Nicknolls coal from various sources and a ‘lead further activity until 1915, Mr Evans’ (SJ4330075) was shown as ‘dis’ and boiler and frame’, presumably this, as business fills in a few years of the the southern shafts (SJ34280067and it only weighed 1 cwt, was a piece of story. Nicknolls (one word rather 34200070) were both absent. By the plumbers kit. than the later two) Mine account 1902 sheet all three were marked ‘dis’. includes barytes despatched via It must be possible that North New West Snailbeach and Minsterley Station from October 1884 Nicknolls was an attempt to reopen North Tankerville to April 1886 with then only entries the northernmost shaft. (see the Both these names were used for for July 1887 and February 1888. The illustration in Part 1, ‘Below 2013.3). mines in the North Tankerville sett account revives from July 1889 with which covered quite an area of barren Samuel Morris Ridge at the head, Pennerley land almost to Batholes and may from then until the October only Not one of Mr Evans’ better have included Roundhill and where development material is listed but on customers but he hauled some lead between 1870 and 1899 12 licences or November 4th he notes ‘commensing ore for them on 15th July 1872 and leases were granted to different small (sic) to draw barytes across the field’ from December 1873 to February 1874 companies possibly for several and thereafter at intervals until and a small amount of lead ore and different locations and certainly March 1894 some barytes went out. blende in 1884. under several different names. Mr North Nicknolls, the only entries for Evans’ activity starts at New West Snailbeach Mine from the 2nd August 1894 and gets no more productive than slabs, horse and cart for mending road, fetching buckering iron and ‘a horse and cart for bring trows’.

This account ends on 6th October 1894 with an amount of £1/16/90d and the North Tankerville account begins the same day with the same amount. A little odd as, according to a list of Tankerville Estate documents (Shropshire Archives 1700 box 200 uncat.) Samuel Morris Ridge’s renewed licence expired in September 1894 and Dawson, Pybus and Miss Richmond’s 21 year lease was dated 19th October 1894, perhaps the same person managed the mine for both parties. The last of Mr Evans’ North Tankerville activities ceased in Jul 1895 and consisted entirely of development material including ‘commencing a road down the Nicknolls’ ( it is not at all clear A sample page of the Bog Waste Company account from the 1st book, 145mm why the North Tankerville x 310mm, c25 thick hardback.

“Below” 2013.4 11 John Evans’ Work Books, part 2 continued ...

Perkins Beach Limited and again in 1883-4 as and Mr Evans book keeping makes it The mine had reopened (a regular Tankerville Great Consols Company clear that he assumed that work habit) in 1871 and by August of 1873 Limited. The early 1870s had seen would continue, he would have been Mr Evans was hauling coal there. A substantial capital expenditure on the unaware that a special general little lead ore came out via Mr Evans mine including the sinking of meeting of the 15th May had decided in the early Autumn but by mid Watsons Shaft. 1875 and 76 saw the to liquidate the company, another November the emphasis was on construction of an engine house and mining concern whose demise was building work and horse hire with the erection of a 40 inch pumping seen by Mr Evans (see illustration n). some ore again coming out the engine supplied by Harveys of following May. Odd bits of lead ore Hayle. No doubt during this major Wotherton came out until November when, at project all the area’s carters were Between June and November 1874 least for Mr Evans, production employed and Mr Evans’ book Mr Evans delivered coal and finished and only coal (including one reflects this activity. collected barytes from Wotherton. At this date there were two mines here, lot from Boycott) was transported, From January 1875 to June 1876 even this stopped in Feb 1877, the one run by Mr (and later Mrs) bricks, slates, lime, laths, and floor Maginnis and the other by mine was sold by order of the Sheriff bricks along with castings all arrived later that year. Wortherton Mining Co, Mr Evans as well as the usual supplies of coal, account is for the latter. The materials Rhadley and lead ore left. The horse hire are straightforward but the Mr Evans seems to have been account for April to December 1875 geography is not. Coal arrived from employed to serve this mine during not only confirms the level of activity Minsterley, Montgomery and the landlord’s own management, Mr but add some focus. September must Asterley, the first two presumably Hulton-Harrop worked the mine have seen the erection of the engine the railway stations at those places c1887 and probably until Mr with horses on the 7th ‘at boiler’ on and the third possibly direct from the Wardman took over in 1890. Mr the 9th ‘drawing at the beam and on mine. The barytes went out to Evans carried barytes to Minsterley the 22nd ‘drawing at the cilender’ Minsterley, Montgomery and station in 1889 then not again until (sic). Further interesting items of Forden, the latter two presumably to 1894-5. Meanwhile the South horse hire were to take specimens to the railway though each could be Shropshire Barytes Co Ltd and Pontesford, no reason is of course considered to be on the river Severn. Alfred Hayward had each run the given but the destination is It is also the only account to list mine with Mr H-H taking over again presumably the smelthouse (see incoming empty casks for the in 1893. Mr Evans finished there in below.) One possible reason could barytes. 1895, the year that the Rhadley involve analysis of ore samples for Barytes Co took over. their silver content, the mine Minerals produced small quantities of this Rock (Leeds Rock House) metal between 1873 and 83. Another Whilst the activities of the mines may possibility is that the specimens were be the most obvious aspect of these Mr Evans had two spells of work for books the sources and destinations this mine, in 1872 when it traded as spectacular crystal structures much beloved of Victorian geologists and of the various material carried are not Leeds Rock House Mine Company without interest. he carried lead ore, timber and coal collectors, though why would these between August and November. go to Pontesford? From July 1876 to Barytes, Blende, Lead ore Then as Rock Mine he carried April 1877 most of Mr Evans’ work and Pontesford smelter barytes to Minsterley from was coal in (some for the smith) and lead ore out to either Pontesford or The destination of most of the lead September 1888 to February 1889. ore carried by Mr Evans is not given Unusually he included the mine’s Minsterley. From April 1877 to the end of the account in the December but in the first book some goes to customer’s name, Messrs Ellam, Minsterley for onward transmission Jones and Co of Markeaton Mill, there was an increase in sundries coming in and larger quantities of by rail, some is unspecified and some Derby, they dealt in various goes to Pontesford. If previous chemicals including barytes. timber planks, boards and poles and on 3rd July horses were hired for research is accurate this must have Snailbeach drawing a boiler. gone to the erstwhile White Grit Not a regular customer but in company smelter then occupied by October and November 1872 Mr By Mr Evans’ next known work at Burr Bros of Shrewsbury, as the Evans carried about 140 larch poles Tankerville in 1883 the company had former Snailbeach smelter seems to to Snailbeach Mine. been restructured as Tankerville have been disused at the appropriate Great Consols Company Limited and times. From the smelter came several Tankerville had a further lease. Haulage, mainly loads of cinders to various of the One of his big customers in 1875-7 coal and some ore ran from mines and to Mr Young and Captain was the Tankerville Mining Company September 1883 to July 22nd 1884 Parry.

12 “Below” 2013.4 John Evans’ Work Books, part 2 continued ...

Zinc-blende (always blend or blend though possibly from a coal Snailbeach District Railways opened ore to Mr E) if specified always went merchant. New British Colliery was at their Railway Number One to to Minsterley for the railway and may Acrefair west of Ruabon and may be Crowsnest, with a line up to have gone on to Birmingham or the colliery from which coal labelled Snailbeach Mine. There is no Bristol for brass making or Ruabon came, though there are other indication in the book of anything galvanising. equally convincing contenders. collected from or delivered to that Brynkynalt Colliery was at Chirk. Clee line but by the second book Apart from Wotherton (see above) all Hill refers to the district rather than Tankerville Mine had quite a quantity barytes (if specified) went via the name of the colliery, there seem of coal which had being collected by Minsterley, some at least going the to have been three collieries open Mr Evans from the Snailbeach Messrs Ellam, Jones in Derby. there at the appropriate time. Sarn, railway in late 1883 and early 1884. Wotherton is the only mine where this entry appears to read ‘coal of casks are noted, the material may Sarn’ and is for less than two tons, Conclusion have gone in casks or sacks from none of the Sarns located within One aspect of the mining industry other mines. influencing distance of Mytton which the books reflect is the Coal Dingle mine are on coal measures, so uncertainty, several mines closed whilst Mr Evans was active leaving Received wisdom is that cheaper, Sarn could be a name (or it might read Sam…). him possibly with bad debts and better coal than the local coalfield certainly without what must have could produce came into the area in Railways seemed reliable customers. the 1860s on the new branch line to The coming of the Minsterley branch Minsterley, from Ruabon and south in 1861 dragged the area into a new Quite what John Evans would have Staffordshire, Mr Evans’ book age but by the beginning of Mr made of current interest in his work illustrate this, though with no coal Evans’ books this was a decade and books is debateable. They don’t tell obviously from Staffordshire and more ago and had become normal. us too much about the man but his some still from local mines. Mr His books give some indication of records suggest someone who, Evans’ ‘labels’ for coal are of varying the nature and level of traffic on that unsurprisingly, took trouble over his sorts, some are what may be names, branch and he was one of no doubt animals and had some pride in own i.e. Mr Young, Mr Noughty (or many carters seeking business at the appearance, his books include notes Doughty), William Taylor, J Pitt, Mr station. In the second book he began of new boots and a new waistcoat. Waters and Smith. Mr Young could to quote railway truck numbers to Thank you John Evans be a coal and feed merchant as he help track his clients produce and appears in the corn account as well I would like to thank Nick Southwick has also sometimes includes two for drawing my attention to these as mine accounts and he had cinders weights, presumably one from the delivered. Mr Noughty and Wm books and, as SMT’s librarian mine’s weighbridge and one from the lending them to me. I understand that Taylor could also be coal merchants, station’s. though they could also be private they have been deposited by Mr customers located at mines. Mr Towards the end of the first book the Evans’ family to whom my thanks Waters has entries at Bog Mine one also go. of which has a separate price and it could be a delivery of private coal to Richard or Arthur of that ilk, both of whom were sometimes at Bog at the right time. Pitt occurs in the first book as ‘of Pitt’ which could mean collected from a mine, but in the second as J Pitt which would seem to be a name. Smith occurs with an upper case S but is probably coal for the blacksmith. Other names occur for coal who are presumably non mining customers. Much coal is not attributed but some is labelled by the mine or area it is from with New British, Ruabon, Brynkynalt, Clee Hill, Sarn, Boycott and Asterley occurring. The last two probably There is no reason to believe that this was John Evans but the subject is being colleted direct from the mine involved in the same trade, at one of the same places (Wotherton), at a comparable date.

“Below” 2013.4 13 Notes on the Brandlee Pits near Dawley, Shropshire Ivor Brown

The pits are on the high ground, He was working about 600ft. a.o.d. and about NGR: SJ coal by means of 5 678 076. The ground is heavily pits and a drift faulted with one fault passing mine employing 46 between the main shafts. To the men in total. southeast, however, almost a complete series; Top Coal to In the early 1920s Lancashire Ladies Coal, can be found abandonment and most of the main seams of coal, plans were about 10 in number, have been deposited with the worked as well as ironstone and Mining Record fireclay seams. Office on several occasions. By During the 19th century working was 1927 G.W.Tarr was principally for ironstone by the shown as working Coalbrookdale Company for its Brandlee No.6 Horeshay Furnaces. The mounds of shaft using 28 waste on the surface at present are of men. G.W.Tarr traditional ironstone working shape then moved to with flat tops. The Park Pit, Dawley and Wood By 1891 the Brandlee Pit were being Pit, Coalmoor. A worked by the Coalbrookdale photo was taken Company under their Horsehay about 1930 during Colliery (manager W.Banks). The a visit to one of Edith Picton-Turbervill MP (1872-1960) on a visit to one shafts were about 6½ft. diameter and these by the local of G.W.Tarrs Pits about 1930. (Malcolm Peel) 57ft. deep to the Yard Coal level. The MP Edith Picton- ventilation was by means of a fire- Turbervill O.B.E (Labour MP for the The Brandlee Colliery company is bucket in the shaft. Wrekin 1929-31). shown under joint ownership of Smallshaw and Tarr in 1950 (9 men The pits had passed to the Days A new shaft was being sunk at employed) and this arrangement Automatic Water Closet Company by Brandlee in 1933/34. This Brandlee continued until closure in 1956. 1900, they were then working 3 shafts Mine, owned by G.W.Tarr, is shown Don Fletcher (the winding engineman for Coal and Fireclay with 25 men as “standing” in 1935 and is not at Madeley Wood Colliery in the under manager J.Chirm. The main mentioned in 1937. The 1941 Colliery 1950s) has provided a description of seams worked were the Yard Coal, Directory shows Brandlee to be work at the Brandlee Colliery during Big Flint Coal and the Church Clays, under the control of J.A.Smallshaw the above period - see the box on the the latter for their own works. (25 men working Double and Big next page. Flints). Nearby another company Days were still working Brandlee Pit “Smallshaw and Tarr” are shown as Note in 1908 with 34 men (coal only, from working Farm and Shortwoods Mines Isiah Jones gave the writer two New Mine and Flint seams) but by (22 men in total). Both companies are books to take to the County 1920 the pit was bieng worked as prospering in 1946 (see the Trade Archives in 1970 - they must still be Brandlee Colleiry Co. by a Mr.Payne. Directory entry below). there. 1. Brandlee 1,3, and 4 Pits - weekly inspections 1938-1957 (last date 28.6.1957) continuous working, signed by deputies Willetts, Teece, Gamble, Bradburn, harris and I.Owen. Countersigned by ‘manage’ G.tarr to 1940, J.Smallshaw 1941, H.Tarr 1942 to end. 2. Brandlee Colliery Electrical Tests. 8th March 1954 to 5th Nov. 1956. Machines included a Siskol coal cutter, 5 & 10 hp Pickrose haulers Extract from the Colliery Year Book & Coal Trades Directory, 1946 and Huwood Boring Panel.

14 “Below” 2013.4 Notes on the Brandlee Pits near Dawley, Shropshire continued ...

Above: G.W.Tarr letterhead - why a rail truck as logo? There wasn’t a railway anywhere in the vicinity!

Below: Termination of employment sent to R.Franks in 1950.

Above: Brandlee Colliery despatch note.

THE BRANDLEE COLLIERY, BY DON FLETCHER The Brandlee Colliery started Another shaft was sunk to the Big For pumping they had a steam before the 1914-18 War with a Flints about 9 yards deep, then to operated Cornish Pump made footridge at Pool Hill where they the New Mine, some 14 yards by Evans of Wolverhampton. It got the ‘Stinking Coal’ (New deep. They used to send some of used to hang on a steel girder in Mine). the miners down to the New Mine the shaft and was made primarily, to get coal during the morning I think, for sinking as it had rubber They used to drive 4ft. heads into shift, then put on a scaffold at the valves and would get rid of the seam and take the bunches Big Flints and wind coal got from anything up to nearly the size of a out coming back. The wagons there during the afternoon shift. brick. held about six cwt and they were Of course they had to leave a drawn up the footridge by a space around the edge of the About 1916 we did some test steam winch. Women used to use scaffold for the air to get through. holes for coal using a “spring “franks” to separate the coal from pole”. This looked something like the slack. Some time afterwards There was a cage in the shaft and a figure 1. The idea was that the 3 we converted to an old Mann’s steam winch for winding, the steam men pressed the handle down Steam wagon to draw the wagons being provided by a German and let go, the two on the out by taking the rear wheels off tubular boiler. This boiler had crosshead then pressed down. and replacing them with a drum. about 40 tubes and each had to be Each time the crosshead arm expanded nearly every week as came up the men gave half a turn Later, a proper shaft was sunk to they were nearly always leaking. on the drill. We drilled through the Clod and Randle seams and The water for the boiler was taken about 5 yards of rock and got a this was worked on a 40 yard from a local pool and the injector seam of coal called ‘Lancashire longwall face, the coal was danned often gave up the ghost through a Ladies’. It was very slow but up the face and filled into tubs at newt getting drawn into the supply sure. the level. pipe.

“Below” 2013.4 15 Pitchcroft Report, October 2013 David Adams

On the 15th David Adams met the discussions at this point while trying extendable pole and two leading tenant farmer Mr David Williams in to better ascertain the proper poles, thus establishing it to be his office and together visited the alignment of Dog Shaft with the parallel but 1.8 metres away from the site. Mr Williams stated that he was engine site. They apparently found N.E. side of the house. The distance himself interested in the reports and the site fascinating. from the inner side of the near wall to the Club’s discoveries to date, thus the approximate shaft centre being there was no problem with the work While not able, as others before 27.3 metres (13.4 metres to top of being continued. As to the them, to identify the operating uses mound) or slightly less allowing for dangerous hole in the shaft covering, of the various structures found, they the slope. which he and a representative of the were able to offer many useful ideas Duchy had previously inspected, he and advice, also advice as how the Thus almost certainly the winding was quite happy for the Club to engine site might be finally protected mechanism must have been undertake the work of constructing and left. contained within a wooden frame and fitting a new safe shaft cover now long disintegrated although subject to him being provided with a They considered for instance that the signs of a wooden beam were found plan and costings. main building found may have been at an early dig. only a basement for a timber engine On the question of liabilities he fully house constructed to house the Next an attempt was made to measure understood the Club’s concerns, as cylinder (a theory Club members had the dimensions of the Dog Shaft top - he was fully aware of such liabilities postulated while digging), also that made difficult due to the corbelling in himself, thus once he has inspected the horseshoe shaped firebrick built of the existing cap remains and the and found satisfaction with the work, structure adjacent to the Water shaft vegetation. However a figure of 10ft no further liability would fall back on might have housed a brazier with a by 10ft was arrived at, although as the Club. On the final conclusion of cupola above to draw air out of the the shaft appeared somewhat oval the project he will be prepared to mine via the window opening and aid 10ft by 11-12ft might be safer, thus a provide the necessary posts and ventilation, the shaft itself probably cap measuring say 12x14ft (3.65 x 4.25 barbed wire to ensure the site’s being covered over. metres would be about right, but future safety. Andy would have to check these Following a short (and needed) break measurements himself before The attitude of the Duchy of in The Aston the party was commencing work. Cornwall as landowners is that if their conducted around the Limekiln tenant is happy with the Wood at Lilleshall being much Moving to the later sites discussions arrangements so are they. If however impressed by the work of the new were held as to the next steps and the any large trees needed to be removed owner Gerrit Groenowold in his requirement for a ‘bigger digger’. It it would be best to take photographs repairs to the kiln and tunnel arches, was found possible to get a bigger and gain permission direct from them. also the reconstruction of the mighty machine into the wood without stone revetment above. The tramway damaging too many trees. It was PDMHS Visit was traversed from the timber bridge decided that the first option would be On the 19th David Adams conducted to the site of the canal basin. In all an to dig a long west to east trench right four members of the Peak District interesting day, a visit to their dig across the northern part of the site to Mines Historical Society who had sites in Derbyshire is advised for prove the theory that this ground is themselves been involved in digs for 2014. barren of structures and then if true some years on several similar sites in to be backfilled immediately. This Derbyshire. Sunday 20th Dig would then enable the present On the 20th the only members of the mounds of spoil from the dig so far to They were led by David Williams (the dig team able to attend were David be moved onto it to allow a deeper second that week!). They were Adams and Peter Eggleston all others excavation of the area between the shown the whole site from the site of being away or busy. Peter brought brick pillars and the shaft. It was the ‘Last Shaft’ to the Pitchcroft the upsetting news that Karen the decided that it would be best to have Canal bridge before viewing the wife of Andy Harris who was to have a preliminary meeting ideally with shafts and finally the Club’s measured the Dog Shaft collar for David Poyner, and Mr George excavations over a period of 3½ capping had suffered a very serious Lawrence of Lineal Construction who hours. With regard to possible shaft car accident and thus he could not had offered the use of a machine at covers they stated that the ‘Clwyd’ come, it was sincerely hoped that her reasonable cost before the next conical minecaps fitted in the 1980’s injuries were not as bad as feared. official dig on 17th November. There had not been a success and advised P.E. & D.A. therefore completed the being nothing further the members strong flat covers with access for study of the shaft/engine site could do on site the day was finished bats. Peter Eggleston joined the alignment using a light on a tall early.

16 “Below” 2013.4 Pitchcroft Report, October 2013 continued ...

“Below” 2013.4 17 Clean-up at Doward Pancake Mines

Situated on the west side of the River Wye in the cliffs above Symmonds Yat West the Doward Pancake Mines are a group of part cave and part iron One of the Forestry mine workings. The area is an SSSI Comission workers and important bat hibernacula - the cleaning some of the most important levels are gated to silver paint on the cliff face. protect the Greater Horseshoe bats that use them. The site also tends to be used by ‘party’ groups and during 2013 a lot of graffiti was sprayed on the cliff faces and on the walls of the underground chambers. Luckily the bat group had not unlocked the gates on Lord’s Wood ‘No.16’ adit due to the bats staying indoors this year, so it escaped the vandals.

On the 6th October a clean-up was Some of the cave organised by Paul Taylor and the areas that are easily Forest Caving Clubs in conjunction reached from with the Forestry Commission and outside have suffered from a lot of Natural England. Luckily most of the graffiti over the years. silver paint was water soluble, although the ‘green’ paint was more stubborn and remnants had to be covered with ochre, but the area was a lot better when we had finished!

Left: Cleaning the underground areas.

Right: Paul Taylor abseiled down the cliff face to clean the high level graffiti.

Left and Right: The ‘Before’ and ‘After’ views of one of the underground chamber walls.

Pictures: Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings

18 “Below” 2013.4 Natural Oil Seepages, Cannel and Shale Oils in England Ivor Brown

When oil is mentioned thoughts out separately and, if it could not be normally turn first to drilling into sold, the miners were allowed to take deep resources, there are, however, it home where it was used for other forms of oil reserves such as painting black stripes on white natural seepages , cannel coal and oil pigeon sheds or for tarring other shales. This paper will not be outbuildings. dealing with drilling for oil. A recent publication (1) of the Oil There was a colliery in Shropshire Shale Information Centre in London called Tarry Pit where it was states that : necessary to suspend sheets over “In Britain there are polished working miners to prevent oil ornaments of oil shale dating from dripping on them. Another notable the Iron Age and the Greeks and location was a drainage tunnel at Romans used it in mosaics. Natural tar seeping through the Blists Hill Mine still called the Tar Elsewhere shale oil was used for tunnel brickwork inside the Tar Tunnel. It is now open to visitors as Tunnel, Coalport. part of a museum, tar runs can still be medical and military purposes. (Kelvin Lake-I.A.Recordings) “The first records of oil being seen on the tunnel walls and one of extracted from oil shale in Europe these wells existed in 2006. 3,4 the wells has been opened to view. 5,6 Occurrences have been located in date from the early 1300s and at the Cannel end of the 17thC. shale oil was being collieries in the counties mentioned produced in England from oil shale above and several are referred to in This type of coal, has been widely mined in Shropshire”. reference 3, including the Hardstoft used in the production of oil but area in Derbyshire which led particularly in North Staffordshire According to the above publication eventually to James Young’s pioneer and to a much lesser extent oil appears to have been formed by work in that area. In recent years Shropshire. There is a range of coally the “burial and compaction of algal when oil was found in collieries it material called ‘cannel’ by the miners swamps by overlying sediments was sent to the surface in special but true cannel is rare in the above resulting in the conversion of the mine trucks where it was tipped into counties. Giffard in his paper to a organic matter to kerogen by a large oil tanks to await collection. In conference in 1938 gave a table that process known as diagenesis”. 1906 Southgate Colliery near Clowne, showed that the amount of oil When this is subject to sufficient Derbyshire produced up to a obtained per ton of mineral worked heat then kerogen decomposes to oil, hundred gallons daily. Some National ranged from 12 gallons to 60 gallons gas and residual carbon. Heating can Coal Board collieries still collected oil (this in the Cannel Row Half Yard 7 be accomplished in nature and in from the underground workings as Seam in North Staffordshire). This retorts. late as the 1950s. For example, at paper also gives a careful study of Thoresby Colliery BP installed a the development of the industry in Natural Oil Seepages 12,000 gallon tank to store oil. At North Staffordshire from about 1860. Madeley Wood Colliery, Shropshire, These have been known in In 1865 about 50,000 tons of cannel is where the writer worked, oil was sent Shropshire since Roman times and in thought to have been produced in the middle ages this same oil was England and, shortly after, the official used as a medicine 2. Although many statistics show that the North seepages have been located in the Staffordshire area, which included surface rocks, a large number have Shropshire and Cheshire, produced also been discovered in underground 72,530 tons. By 1877 it is reported to mines, particularly coal mines. Oil, be about 47,000 tons per year. Later under other names such as tar, figures add the cannel coal and oil bitumen and pitch, has been found shale figures together but it is known exuding from rocks in many localities that the cannel coal output had in England and in other counties too reduced substantially by 1880. including Derbyshire and Lancashire. Typical place names in Shropshire Little is known of the methods used indicating seepages included for obtaining the oil from the cannel Pitchford, Tarbatch and Oilhole. In but the 1865 statistics refer to 154 Shropshire the oil was usually retorts in Tunstall, Burslem, Longton, collected in wells as a coating on Hanley and Milton districts. “Each water. After skimming off it was Oily substance oozing through the retort yields an average 30 gallons of barite joints in Perkins/Roberts distilled and used for lighting and Level, Snailbeach. crude oil per day of 24 hours, medicinal purposes. At least one of (Kelvin Lake-I.A.Recordings) working 6 days per week, say 100

“Below” 2013.4 19 Natural Oil Seepages, Cannel and Shale Oils in England continued ... tons of crude oil for the district”. it. There are reports of experiments to T.Peters, London. This would give a production of produce oil from shale in Shropshire 5. The Tar Tunnel, Coalport by 5,200 tons of crude oil per year. Later and sites at Coalport and Ketley have IJ.Brown and B.Trinder published statistics do not give such detailed been investigated. by Ironbridge Gorge Museum, 3rd information. The second group of oil shales edition 1980. extends from Dorset via Norfolk into 6. British Oil - Developments in the The only cannel found in Shropshire East Yorkshire and occurs in the Ironbridge Gorge in the 17th/l8thC. seems to be associated with the Big Kimmeridge Clay formation of by M.Luter pub. Broseley Local Flint Coal Seam. At Ladywood it is a Jurassic Age. Although worked in a History Soc. Journal No. 27 2005. cannel-bass and is found in seams up minor way in Norfolk and elsewhere 7. The Former Cannel Oil Industry in to 2 foot 8 inches thick. It was still the most serious work of exploitation North Wales and Staffs by H.P. being worked at one mine in the occurred in Dorset. By the end of the W.Giffard, Proceedings of a 1920s but only for the gas it 19thC. the shales were being worked Conference, Institute of Petroleum produced. 8 at Kimmeridge and it was claimed that 1938. they yielded 120 gallons of paraffin 8. Geological Survey Special Report Oil Shale per ton. The oil shale was also Vol. VI1 Mineral Oil etc. 1920. Huxley 9 states “Oil shales are worked at Portisham and Gorton.10 9. Britain's On-Shore Oil Industry by hardened sedimentary clays or marls The earliest workings were by adits J.Huxley, Globe Industry Report in which organic matter, mainly a in the cliffs and by shafts, the pub. Macmillan 1983. polymer known as kerogen has been Manfield Pit being the most notable. 10.Dorset's Industrial Heritage by entrained in an inorganic matter There is also evidence of railways, a P.Stanier, Twelveheads Press 1989. matrix. By applying heat and quay and a pier. After mining, the pressure, the kerogen is decomposed production of oil involved retorting Other notable papers into hydrocarbons. A residue of the shale to produce gas, ammonia, The recent search for oil in Great spent shale is left”. naphtha and oil and refining into a Britain by H.P.W.Giffard in Trans. England has two main groups of oil- mix of marketable products. Inst.Min.Eng. Vol. LXV 1922/3. bearing shale, in the Carboniferous Explanatory boards have been sandstones and in the Kimmeridge provided at some of the known sites. UK Oil Shales Past and Possible Clay formations of Jurassic age. Exploitation. Dept. of Energy References Paper No. 1.1975. The Carboniferous deposits seem to have been worked in a similar area to 1. Oil Shale by R.Ellis published by Mineral Statistics , Geological that of the production of cannel but Oil Shale Information Centre, Survey, 1860-1881, Home Office with the inclusion of Yorkshire. From London 2009. 1882 onwards. 1882 the official statistics of 2. Oil - The United Kingdom by production combine the figures for Petroleum Information Bureau, Blists Hill Mine and the Tar Tunnel cannel and oil shale but exclude London 1965. by I. J.Brown in Quarterly of Kimmeridge Shale. As previously 3. Petroleum by Sir Boverton Shropshire Caving & Mining mentioned cannel production had Redwood, Second edition 1906 p Club.No. 98.4 1998. substantially reduced by 1880 so that 32. nearly all the figure remaining must 4. Correspondence from Prof. have been non-Kimmeridge oil shales. Production seems to have peaked in about 1884 (North Staffordshire 25,500 tons, Yorkshire 8,543 tons and Derbyshire 60 tons. Yorkshire appears to have ceased production after this and all areas by 1906 except for occasional re-listings.

Production of oil shale in Shropshire was recorded in official statistics at least once between 1875 and 1877 (about 2,000 tons per year), but no precise location was given. Other references also show production Above: Nodding donkey oil pump, still pumping oil from the Kimmeridge from the late 17C. and occasionally shales, Dorset. The abandoned oil shale mines can be found along the these are located in beds not in the cliff path to the right of the picture, with rails still protruding out over the cliffs Carboniferous but immediately below (see next page). (Kelvin Lake-I.A.Recordings)

20 “Below” 2013.4 Reply to Enquiry, Ivor Brown

Black Tom Dressing Plant, Snailbeach Mine There are two different postcards available showing Black Tom shaft and adjoining workings. The older is pre1910, the period when the Snailbeach Mining Company were in charge, and the later post 1911, when the Halvans Company were in charge. A second clearer copy of the first card has recently become available and this clearly shows that pre1911 there was a much simpler dressing plant closer to the railway (see picture top right).

The second postcard shows that a plant in the present location was built Above: Black Tom Shaft pre 1911. Enlargement from the earliest known by the Halvans Company about 1913, postcard of Black Tom Shaft dressing Plant. (Courtesy A.Frost) together with a reconstruction of the headframe. All this is shown and described in “West Shropshire Mining Fields” (Tempus, page 38-41) together with a copy of the second postcard (see right).

The recent reconstruction is more or less on the site of the newer Halvans plant.

Right: Black Tom area with dressing plant c1912 and headframe on it’s side, possibly about to be raised. (Ken Lock Collection)

One of the Earliest Mine Accidents Reported in Broseley? I found the following report last year. Its very short but must be one of the earliest reports of an accident in Broseley. Steve Dewhirst

LONDON CHRONICLE 31ST JULY 1764 Last week two men were killed by the damps in a coal pit at Broseley in Shropshire. Above: Rails from one of the Kimmeridge shale mines, Dorset protrude over the edge of the cliffs - due to coastal erosion the cliff top tramway and tips over the side of the cliffs have disappeared. (31st July, 1764, page 6) (Kelvin Lake-I.A.Recordings)

“Below” 2013.4 21 What the Papers Said - Wellington Journal & Shrewsbury News submitted by Steve Dewhirst

FRIGHTFUL FALL AT OLD PARK. LEAD MINING IN SHROPSHIRE. A MAN DROPS DOWN A PIT-SHAFT. In reference to the many interesting accounts given On Saturday an inquest was held by Mr. J. V. T. in the Journal of mining operations in the Shelve Lander, coroner, on view of the body of Richard and Minsterley- districts, Mr. R. J. More, M.P., has Rowlands, a miner, who was killed under shocking been furnished with the records of the working of circumstances. that locality, which he thought had been lost. They are given in a letter from Miss Rose Helen Mrs. Rowlands identified the body as that of her Lawrence, of Pontesbury. This lady says “Having husband. He was employed by Mr. Ferriday at been able to look through my father’s letters and Pudley Pit. On Thursday he went to work, and Mr. documents, I find that my father and his Watkiss brought him home hurt. forefathers have worked the district of mines about 250 years previous to 1830, when the Bog John Freeman said he was working with deceased was sold to a new company from Chester, two of repairing at the pumping-shaft. All went well the gentlemen’s names being Cross and Walker, through the day until about seven in the evening, who worked the lease out. when deceased must have slipped and fell down the shaft about 30 yards. Witness then descended The Shelve and Gravels my grandfather worked a and got him up. Witness thought it was a pure few years later. My great-great-grandfather lived accident, as deceased was an experienced man, at Santley and Shelve, and lead ore was taken from and was quite sober. Shelve, Pennerley, and Batholes to be smelted at Malehurst a number of years before the Pontesbury Sarah Ann Watkiss, of Old Park, said she laid the and Pontesford smelt houses existed. I found this body of deceased out. His left leg and right thigh information on a few leaves of an account book were broken and his head was bruised; he had of day work done there. My great-great- made no complaint or reference to the accident. grandfather worked Snailbeach Mine, and their The jury returned a verdict that deceased died lease expired about 1730. The Farmer’s Company from injuries received through failing down the was the Leigh Company, a new one that was pit accidentally, and added a rider that in their formed about the year 1820, who were highly opinion men should not be allowed to do such respectable men of the neighbourhood, and who work without a safeguard being provided, such as drove the Leigh level, by the permission of the a belt. Lawrences, which caused the law suite, which nd 2 April 1898 terminated in the ruin of both parties.” This information will probably be much appreciated MINSTERLEY MINING. by those seeking the revival of lead mining in the A STRIKE. district referred to, and whom it should greatly interest. There has been a serious interruption to business nd in the Minsterley and Hope Valley Mine, the men 2 April 1898 for some days having been on strike. It is said the COLLIERY FATALITY AT MADELEY. Company allege as the cause of the dispute that Quite a sensation was caused in this town on they require the men to be eight hours underground, Thursday morning when it became known that while the men say the time shall be seven-and-a- another fatal colliery accident had occurred at the half hours. The men also assert that in most cases Halesfield Colliery. Whilst Thomas Deakin, The the wages are much below the average wages of Finger, Dawley, and John Gough, Cripples Hill, the district. Madeley, were engaged at their work, the roof fell, Deakin being killed on the spot and Gough being The suggestion has been made that if a deputation severely hurt. The body of Deakin was removed of experienced miners were appointed to confer to the Britannia inn, Aqueduct, where it awaits an with the directors the matter might be amicably enquiry which will probably be held today settled. In any case it is hoped the dispute will not (Saturday). A fatal accident occurred in this colliery be of long continuance. th about a fortnight ago. 7 May 1898 th 7 May 1898

22 “Below” 2013.4 Christmas Cheer! Something for the Little Grey Cells . . .

As a warm-up try your hand at turning the top words in each ladder into the word at the bottom by altering one letter at a time, making a new word with each move.

JOUST CLOCK Have a look at the letters on the computer screen below. What is the next letter in the sequence?

PAINS BREAD

These 10 codes hide the names of 10 famous scientists, who are they?

Golden Nut of the Year: Steve Holding, 2013

Ok, so maybe you need a helpful key:

Peter Eggleston on the beach at Penzance during the Club Cornish trip - practising for his role in the Christmas panto - “Pirates of Pulverbatch”

First night of the Club trip to Poland - testing the local Mike and Eileen dressing for the occasion at Onslow beer. What only 1 litre mugs? steam rally.

“Below” 2013.4 23 News & Books

Boats Much Older Waste Tip Reclamation Bryneglwys Slate Quarry, Eight Bronze Age boats discovered A scheme to sell 280,000 tonnes of Abergynolwyn in a quarry at Must Farm, near coal mined from a waste mound at a Author Alan Holmes with Sara Eade Peterborough in 2011 have been the former Bullcroft Colliery in (2013) A4, 138pp full colour photos, found to date from about 1,500 BC. Carcroft, near Doncaster was put drawings and plans. This is based on carbon dating of before the cabinet of South Yorkshire This is a completely new version of a sediment samples taken from around council on 6th November. long well out of print previous the boats, which are made from oak, edition with new information, format, lime and field maple. The boats (one Bullcroft Colliery closed in 1970 and new colour and black/ white pictures of which is almost 9m (30ft.) long) are the site is currently used as an area and drawings. currently being conserved by being of community parkland. It is claimed It inevitably linked with the Talallyn kept in a cold store at Flag Fen that the residual coal deposits would Railway and tells the complete Bronze Age Centre & Archaeology be “sufficiently large to make their history of this important surface and Park and sprayed with a special wax recovery a viable proposition”. underground quarry includes a to prevent the timbers from chapter dedicated to the social degrading. Archaeologists are The coal is the property of the history. planning to start carbon dating the council but may only be extracted Price: £20.00 plus P&P. actual boats in the near future. with the consent of the UK Coal BBC 8th September 2013 Authority. It is estimated that the Slate Below Abercwmeiddaw Greenland Iron Ore project could take three years to and Abercorris Quarries, complete and the council would Greenland has awarded UK-based Tramway receive money for each tonne of coal company London Mining a 30-year By Sara Eade, SB, A4, 180pp. recovered. A ‘Royalty’ figure of 10p licence to build and run a giant iron This book came out earlier this year it per tonne of coal sold has been ore mine. The Greenland government is the third and final one in the series suggested, which could raise about hopes the Isua mine project will (Ratgoed and Within these Hills) £28,000 for the area. boost the economy, which is largely describing the Corris Valley Quarries, dependent on fishing and subsidies surface and underground, railway, Once the tip has been mined the from Denmark. tramway and social history of the ground would be reinstated as The iron ore deposit is located 150km area. It completes the study of the community parkland. If the scheme (about 90 miles) from Nuuk, the area and uses modern colour and proves successful, the council owns capital of Greenland and is expected historical black and white photos, a number of other former colliery tip to yield 15m tonnes of high quality plans , diagrams, line drawings it is sites that could be used in a similar iron ore concentrate per year. fully illustrated and very well way. Some opponents say the open-cast presented. mine will cause environmental Price: £25.00 + P&P damage; while others are concerned Waste Energy Plant (Hardback available at £30.00) about plans to bring in up to 3,000 Approved Brandy Bottom Colliery mainly Chinese workers (population Plans for a £20m waste energy plant Historical Research Report of Greenland is about 56,000). on the site of Littleton colliery, in By Steve Grudgings, SB, A4,63pp. WWF Denmark are insisting that the Huntington, near Cannock have been mine should be powered by approved by the county council. The report was commissioned by hydroelectric power rather than According to the application by H E Avon Industrial Buildings Trust to diesel, and that there should be Humphries Ltd the plant will process collate and interpret the information safeguards to deal with problems 45,000 tonnes of organic and food in documents and details of the such as the dramatic increase in waste a year to produce fertiliser and remaining buildings, found near traffic. generate electricity. They don’t say Pucklechurch South Gloucestershire. News Reports 25th October 2013 exactly how much, just “enough to This is an excellent research Unity Mine power 2,500 homes”. document with full interpretation of the site using maps, aeriel The owners of Unity Mine near As the site is in the green belt, the photographs and other data, Neath, Wales’ largest drift mine are decision will now be referred to the production methods are discussed, filing for administration, it has been secretary of state, coroners reports are also recorded. confirmed. Price: £7.00 Plus P&P The future of the mine has been Two petitions opposing the plans, uncertain in recent months after All books mentioned here are containing almost 850 signatures, management said they only had work available from Mike Moore at Club were sent to the county council. for 66 staff out of 220. meetings, or online at News Reports, 4th October 2013 New Reports, 10th October 2013 www.moorebooks.co.uk

24 “Below” 2013.4 Books and Videos

The Lead, Copper & Barytes Devon Great Consols - A Mine of Mines Mines of Shropshire By R J Stewart, SB, 436pp. 1970s. A full history of this enterprise By Michael Shaw, Logaston press. Rick Stewart has been researching has been long awaited and eagerly the mine’s history for some years and anticipated by mining enthusiasts. While SCMC publications have often has had access to a mass of new They will not be disappointed carried articles about the various information and primary sources. As mines covered by this book, there well as the staggering boom days of Price: soft back £24.99. has long been a need to try and pull the nineteenth century, Devon Great Hardback £42.99 (limited to 100 everything together into a coherent Consols also covers the various copies) plus P&P publication. In this aim Mike Shaw reworkings of the site up to the has been very successful. ISTORIC INES OF PAIN VOL He has spent years researching H M S .2 records and books, talking to EXPLORING THE MINES OF SIERRA MINERA AND MAZARRÓN surviving miners, members of their In April 2008, the Club visited the At El Lirio, levels with wooden pit families, SCMC members and tracking Sierra Minera region of Murcia in props lead to an underground down original documents and the Spain to see some of the vast range stables. Other sites visited include: sites of numerous mines - many of of ancient and modern mines which Corta Brunita opencast, La Parreta, which only lasted a year or two! survive so well in the area. At scores Lavadero San Ignacio, Jose Maestre of sites, flat-rope winders stand tunnel and more ... The first few chapters cover the early beside intact steel or wooden Mazarrón west of Cartagena is an mining history of Shropshire, the headframes over extremely deep open ochre-red zone of rich lead and silver, products and processes, before shafts! The footage in this recording mined before the Romans. The hill is delving off into the different mining is a compilation of the many sites cut by open stopes and dotted with areas and covering the mines in more visited, along with location maps and open shafts; many with headframes detail, so it will have general appeal. captions - it has no commentary, but of stone, wood or steel. Under a there is incidental dialogue in There are plenty of interesting wooden building, a steam winder still Spanish and English. snippets and facts to keep has its flat ropes connected to a ‘enthusiasts’ engaged. This excellent Las Matildes mining museum near La wooden headframe. publication is a must for anyone Unión, is where the Fundación Sierra Running time: 1 hour 42 minutes interested in Shropshire’s mining Minera preserves and exhibits a wide history. variety of mines, buildings and Price: £14. 40 (High Definition Blu-ray equipment. Later we visited the version £18.00) ISBN: 978-906663-09-4 picturesque ruins in the Rambla del Discounted price for Club members: Softback, 320 pages, over 200 b&w Avenque and at Portman we explored £ 10 (£14 for Blu-ray) - if you collect photographs, drawings and plans. part of the large elaborate processing e.g. at Club Meetings. Price £12.95. mill Lavadero Roberto. full details available at: www.iarecordings.org Available from Mike Moore at Club At La Union, we toured the work meetings, or online at being done to convert Agrupa www.moorebooks.co.uk Vicenta into a show mine, then followed the "33 Road" mine track over the mountain through Roman mining remains and past manganese kilns to Portman Bay. At Corta Emilia we were given permission to examine a unique donkey gin. Cabezo Rajado - the "Riven Hill" has been mined for hundreds of years and still has plenty to show: 450m deep shafts, ornate steel headframes, a flat rope winder, a large mill containing 40 wooden flotation cells and a ball mill. The winder at Mina Ocasión, La Union, has both its flat ropes still in good condition.

“Below” 2013.4 25 Diary Dates Club Officers 2013

President: David Adams Membership, BCA Rep & 11th December: Wilderness Lecture: Insurance: Mike Davies Diving in Darkness by Rick Stanton, 7.30pm. Chemistry Lecture Theatre, University of Bristol.

Chair: Neal Rushton Tackle: Andy Harris 11th December: Friends of the IGMT Talk - “Children in the Mines” by Harriet Devlin, The Board Room, IGMT Offices, Coalbrookdale, 7.30pm Vice Chair: Vacant 2014 Training Officer: 1st January: Columns Open Day, Andrew Wood Ogof Ffynnon Ddu. 16th-22nd March: 16th International Secretary: Andrew Wood Symposium on Vulcanospeleology, [email protected] Galápogos Islands, Ecuador. First Aid Officer: Alan Moseley 30th April: Friends of the IGMT Talk - “Tankerville Lead Mine” by Fiona Deaton (winner of Milestone Society Treasurer: Marian Boston prize for her work on the Shropshire Lead Mines), The Glass Classroom, Bat Officer: Mike Worsfold Coalbrookdale, 7.30pm. 13th-15th June: BCA Party Conservation: David Poyner Weekend, venue tba. 25th -27th July: NAMHO ‘Below’ Editor, Publications: Conference 2014, Bangor, Gwynedd - Kelvin Lake Call for Papers NAMHO Rep: Steve Holding e-mail: [email protected] Papers are invited on all aspects of the development of technology involved in mining and quarrying. Send submissions to Dave Linton [email protected] Tel: 01341 280901.

The Perils of Draughting Passages . . .

Ah, it’s only a breeze. Here looks good for lunch.

It’s a bit salad draughty! sandwich?

Catch us on the World Wide Web. Club activities & the labyrinth: www.shropshirecmc.org.uk

26 “Below” 2013.4