There's an earlier thread about "Elektron Ladders" from 2011 in the technical section (don't know how to put a link in here) with a reference to Casteret's "10 years under the earth" and there are two photos in my edition (1940) one in the illustration of the electron ladder p 32-33 and another called 'into the abyss' p 208 - 209, given the publication date mid-1930's photos seems reasonable. If time allows I'll try and trudge through the text and see if any comments are made. As I'm somewhat less old than that I can say, with more confidence, NCRMS were using an idiosyncratic mix of rope and wire ladders into the mid-1960's, perhaps Mike Gill has access to some earlier archive photos in NMRS hoard or Mike Luff at PDMHS likewise?Quick historical question here - anyone know when the first documented use of wire metal ladders dates back to?
I note there's one depicted on the front cover of Gemmell & Myers' Underground Adventure, published in 1952.So they were certainly
It's quite possible the photos are earlier as "Dix ans sous terre" was published in 1933 and "Au fond des gouffres" in 1936 being combined for the UK 1940 print, though I can't find facsimiles on the web.
Thanks Bob - and yes, the article I mentioned refers to a Harold Dawson of Bradford, who led the trip in Long Churn which Walter Wood described. It also makes clear this was not the first descent of this system by Dawson, who was also, apparently, an avid cave photographer.I don't have access but try Bristol Exploration Club (BEC) : Belfry Bulletin529 (Summer 2008) as the BCL catalogue cites an article by Dave Irwin with an extract which states: "The Caving Ladder ... your flexible friend - from Chinese in the 14th century (perhaps), via Beaumont in Lamb Leer (1676), Absolom in Moravia, France, Alum Pot (1848) and GG; the first wire-rope ladder used by Dawson at Alum in 1894; De Joly's 'Electron' ladder in 1930's France, and first use in Swildon's in 1943 ..."
As I recall electron relates to an alloy of magnesium, strictly speaking Elektron alloy. No doubt other metals were also used. So I suspect you need to differentiate between ladders made with different materials and also between the various methods for 'pinning' the wire to the rung.
Were there issues with some wire rope ladders or belays having hemp cores or similar leading to failure?