Masson Cavern Survey 2022

pwhole

Well-known member
The latest Mining History has just been published by PDMHS, and it's a 120-page double-issue monster volume on the lead and later fluorite mine workings of Masson Cavern above Matlock. This was a big layout job, but I'm very pleased to have been able to do it, as it's now the definitive document on the site - it goes into exhaustive detail in some areas, with no stone left unturned, as it were (though the tables of shothole scar dimensions may be too much for some readers on here).

It includes over 50 superb photos by Mat and Niki Adlam Styles and a brand-new survey, now also the definitive edition - this was a collaborative effort of a full digital line resurvey with splays by Wayne Sheldon, then drawn by John Barnatt. It took two years of almost-weekly visits to complete the work. They've given permission for an A4 version to be uploaded to the Cave Registry, which I've just done - please have a look, as it doesn't get much better than this - the other surveys, drawn by Roger Flindall, have been left up too, not least as a tribute to the effort required to have done this in the early 1970s with compass and tape. Note that the new survey doesn't include the most northwesterly workings of the Cardings-Nestus Pipe, more commonly known as 'King Mine', as this would have added another year to the project, and they're less frequently visited and also more risky in places:

https://peakdistrictcaving.info/home/the-caves/derwent-south/great-masson-cavern

PDMHS members get Mining History delivered for free, but there will be some spare copies available for the rest of you, though I have no idea how many at this stage. Suffice to say, the Mining Museum is probably the best place to pick up a copy, but I don't know the retail price for a double - regular issues normally retail for £13.75 I think. If you want one, get in touch with them sharpish! ;)
 

AR

Well-known member
My copy landed today, though I did have a sneak preview at the last PDMHS council meeting, and it's quite something. I don't know how many extra copies we've had printed on this run, though if there is demand we could look at getting some more done like we did for the Longcliffe issue.
 

Scud

Member
Note that the new survey doesn't include the most northwesterly workings of the Cardings-Nestus Pipe, more commonly known as 'King Mine', as this would have added another year to the project, and they're less frequently visited and also more risky in places:

https://peakdistrictcaving.info/home/the-caves/derwent-south/great-masson-cavern
I did start doing a re-survey of King Mine a few years ago including passage detail. I did two trips and probably need a further four trips to finish the surveying. I am hoping to pick this up again next year. If anybody fancies helping, please send me a PM.
 

ttxela2

Active member
I was very impressed when I recieved mine. Despite a few trips in there I've still got a bit left to see!
 

coggy

New member
I first ventured into that system via the opencast on Masson Hill in 1971, with a fibre miners helmet and a carbide lamp, it was a great adventure ! I seem to remember a lot of very large stopes, and found some great galena samples. I enjoyed looking at the PDHMS journal with the excellent work on Masson that arrived last week.
 
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