Wakebridge Mine

[biffa]

Does anyone have any info about Wakebridge mine.  All COTPD mentions is that the mine intersected a large natural cavity.  I know where it is but no nothing more about it (e.g. how crumbly, what tackle is required, how extensive).  I know that the farmer allows people down the mine and people do visit fairly regularly.

Cheers
Ben

 

[Lampwick]

Wirksworth Mines Research Group used to do winch trips into Wakebridge. Rumour has it that WMRG may have fallen out of favour with the landowner, so it's been a few years since anyone went down there.  If you know differently, let me know because I wouldn't mind having a nosey.  I'm told that the shaft (either called Grahams Shaft or Wilsons Shaft) near the end of the tramway connects with Wakebridge and drops about 200 feet, but getting permission from the tram people is not likely.

As usual, not much help at all really.

 

[Mrs Trellis]

Try this

 

[biffa]

Try this

Thanks, I was already aware of the link. Anyone know rope lengths/description etc

 

[Speleokitty]

Hi Biffa

We went down the shaft near the tramway in the 1990's. There were two piches to get to the bottom, sorry I can't remember pitch lengths. Be aware that the bolts at the top of the second pitch have been in place for over 15 years.

There is quite some distance of timber floor that was already in very poor condition during my last trip and part of it disappeared under one of our group who was snatched to safety by one of the team . Be very careful here.

It was quite interesting from a mining point of view but I don't remember any "large natural cavity" although this may be in part of the mine we did not visit or below the current water level.

Have fun but play safely.

Kitty

 

[Tripod]

An aquaintance of mine was a member of a group which built a winch and descended Wakebridge Mine, if I recall correctly,in the early 1970's. A case of Gelignite was discovered, covered by a 1952 copy of the Daily Mirror. WMRG explored the same place some years later and found --- a case of Gelignite. After advice had been sought the Gelignite was left where it was. I can only guess that the two groups made the same discovery and that it is still there, waiting to be discovered again. From my very limited experience in the Crich area I would suggest that care is taken as this might not be the only "leftover".
Regarding the natural cavity, I believe that I have read that this is flooded and as suggested, below the current water level.

 

[rhychydwr1]

An aquaintance of mine was a member of a group which built a winch and descended Wakebridge Mine, if I recall correctly,in the early 1970's. A case of Gelignite was discovered, covered by a 1952 copy of the Daily Mirror. WMRG explored the same place some years later and found --- a case of Gelignite. After advice had been sought the Gelignite was left where it was. I can only guess that the two groups made the same discovery and that it is still there, waiting to be discovered again. From my very limited experience in the Crich area I would suggest that care is taken as this might not be the only "leftover".
Regarding the natural cavity, I believe that I have read that this is flooded and as suggested, below the current water level.

In my 'umble opinion, gelignite left in a humid atomosphere for more than 24 hours would became inert.  This is why slate worker sometimes stored it next to the stove with the usual unexpected surprises.

 

[nickwilliams]

In my 'umble opinion, gelignite left in a humid atomosphere for more than 24 hours would became inert.

And in my (arguably less humble) opinion your 'umble opinion is bollocks. 'Nuff said on an open forum.

Nick.

 

[graham]

 

[Brains]

In my 'umble opinion, gelignite left in a humid atomosphere for more than 24 hours would became inert.

And in my (arguably less humble) opinion your 'umble opinion is bollocks. 'Nuff said on an open forum.

Nick.

I agree 
Be afrid, but not shakey...

 

[Tripod]

I am almost sorry for having started the Gelignite topic but as it is now running perhaps it would be useful to find clear information on this; how long to become unstable, how long to become inert. Best advice in the end will almost certainly be to avoid the stuff anyway!
Away from Wakebridge but just for interest's sake, I once worked with a man who had been employed as a Fitter at Oxclose Mine. A quiet time and with nothing better to do, he and another man decided to tidy up. Old jackets lying around the mine building were thrown into a Brazier until one of this pair said "hadn't we better check the pockets"? The next jacket had a stick of Gelignite in a pocket, with a detonator. Gelignite no problem apparently - it would have burned - but with the detonator a very different story. 

 

[nickwilliams]

I am almost sorry for having started the Gelignite topic but as it is now running perhaps it would be useful to find clear information on this; how long to become unstable, how long to become inert.

The short answer to this is that there isn't a short answer. There are just too many variables to be able to say with sufficient confidence (bearing in mind the possible consequences of getting it wrong) that the explosive is definitely denatured.

There are factors which someone who knows what they are looking at can use to take a calculated risk on what they do with the stuff, but I don't believe that this is the appropriate place for a discussion of them.

Best advice in the end will almost certainly be to avoid the stuff anyway!

Correct.

Nick.