Cave Dale Ring

[pwhole]

Dunno if this has been posted before, but does anyone know the provenance of the iron ring hammered into the face of the crag opposite Peveril Castle? I've noticed it for years, but never knew what it was for. I doubt it's caving-related, and its age suggested that it isn't an old climbing belay point, but just wondered if anyone on here might know? It's easily found at the moment as it's adjacent to the ugly fluorescent green spray-paint graffiti...

 

[Andy C]

It looks like a rare example of a wrought iron tethering ring. These were once common in mineral mining areas (for example northern Dartmoor) also there are a few examples of bull rings surviving in market places (as in Eyam Square). So my guess is that it was either for tethering miners' ponies, or was this possibly an illicit location for bull-baiting, a 'sport' that was outlawed in 1835 but continued to be enjoyed especially in rural areas?

 

[Pitlamp]

Rather than for miners' ponies I wonder if it was related to the small amount of small scale limestone quarrying which took place in Cave Dale at one time?

 

[mikem]

My thought was quarrying (not that I've been there) - an anchor for a derrick or some such? Seems a bit high for a tether (although ground level may have been lowered)

At least one down south is suggested as being for a flagpole:

North Dartmoor Tethering Rings – Dartmoor Explorations

dartmoorexplorations.co.uk

 

[Pitlamp]

I've climbed in the past on at least one crag in Cave Dale that has obviously been quarried at some stage. As part of the Castletion scene I suppose it's always possible it's something to do with tourism in the pre-car (pony / horse) era.

 

[pwhole]

I also thought quarrying the most likely use, as it seems a bit high for a tether, and there's clearly been some small-scale work done around that spot at some point, but how long ago I have no idea. The ring isn't visible in these wider shots, but the dale is quite wide right there, and there isn't a great deal of obvious work done above - the crag is centre-right in the second shot. Definitely got lucky with the light on Tuesday!

 

[Pitlamp]

Out of interest, is it the crag that Jim Puttrell did his famous route in 1898, called "Dargai Crack"?

If it is, maybe the ring is Puttrell related?

Although it doesn't allude to an iron ring, here's Ernest Baker's delightful description from his "Moors, Crags and Caves" book.

 

[Stoney Boy]

Think there is a HVS on that buttress called unsurprisingly Ring Bolt Route...

 

[pwhole]

Out of interest, is it the crag that Jim Puttrell did his famous route in 1898, called "Dargai Crack"?

If it is, maybe the ring is Puttrell related?

Although it doesn't allude to an iron ring, here's Ernest Baker's delightful description from his "Moors, Crags and Caves" book.

From the description in the book, this might be the 'Dargai'. Though if so, that sapling's not put on much