Search for Limley Mine Airshaft
- Thread starter Goydenman
- Start date
A small correction on how we used maps to find the airshaft. We didn't use Google Maps. The historical 1856, 1892 and 1909 OS maps available from the Scottish National Library were key to locating the mine air shaft.
The main issues we faced and steps taken were:
1. Months before the mine was closed in 1902 a new and substantial arched portal was built making the reference location of the level entrance for the 1890 mine survey doubtful. It was estimated that the new portal had added at least 2 meters to the adit length. However the 1892 OS map recorded the original portal position faithfully - and included the tramway exiting the portal and running south to the riverside spoil heap.
2. Something that was noted early on in the search was, unlike the other mines in Upper Nidderdale, there appeared to be no air shaft position marked on any of the old OS maps. However the 1892 map has a small 10ft x 10ft "sheepfold" abutting a drystone wall in the field we initially dug when aligning the mine survey compass to true north. Once we discovered the survey compass was aligned to magnetic north in 1890 then adjusting the mine survey overlay on the 1892 OS map put the airshaft squarely in the middle of the "sheepfold".
3. Measuring the distance and angle between the mine portal and the "sheepfold" center on the 1892 OS map and comparing this to the distance and angle measured between the level entrance and the airshaft on the mine survey gave a matched angle (275 degrees) and only a 0.4 meter difference in the distance (153.0 meters from OS map, 153.4 meters from the 1890 mine survey).
4. The goal was thus changed from surveying from the mine entance (with the lack of reference position as noted above) to instead locating the center of the "sheepfold" (in reality the airshaft top walling). The walling of the sheepfold had been removed prior to the surveying of the 1909 OS map - so it no longer existed back then and must have been removed during the mine closure. However there was a convenient wall T junction on the other side of the drystone wall directly in line with one edge of the sheepfold. The wall T junction was still in existance and this made the "X marks the spot" placement trivial
5. The "sinking" patch of the field the farmer had pointed out to us as his belief of the airshaft location (wrong distance!) now lined up directly over the lower adit. We could check this easily with an on-line LIDAR map. This sink hole marks where a ground water flow crosses over the mine adit - we know this as we used an excavator to dig out 4 meters depth of this sink hole to find a ground water stream at 3.5 meters depth that immediately sank away at the bottom of the hole we made.
6. How did we find what the actual compass alignment on the mine survey was? The problem we had was the compass drawing was not apparently annotated leaving us with no option other than to assume it was pointed true north as that never changes. Half of the compass drawing was hidden by a substantial water stain which would be hiding any annotations. However while researching for the mines chapter of the BSD "Exporation of Nidderdale Caves" I came across the mine abandonment surveys for both Lolly Scar and Blayshaw Gill lead mines. Both these mines were run by Joseph Cradock's company along with Limley and both these surveys had compasses clearly annotated "Magnetic Meridian <a date>". So the Limly survey compass was pointing at magnetic north! So some quick correspondence with the North Yorkshire Country Records Office who have the survey originals (we have only seen lower resolution B&W microfiche copies) and I was sent a high resolution colour photograph of the compass drawing. Now the water stain was seen as being brown (not black as in the microfiche) and the compass stem was clearly visible in black ink. Along the stem was the tiny writing "M.M. 1890". Now we had completed the fix of the airshaft with certainty.
The main issues we faced and steps taken were:
1. Months before the mine was closed in 1902 a new and substantial arched portal was built making the reference location of the level entrance for the 1890 mine survey doubtful. It was estimated that the new portal had added at least 2 meters to the adit length. However the 1892 OS map recorded the original portal position faithfully - and included the tramway exiting the portal and running south to the riverside spoil heap.
2. Something that was noted early on in the search was, unlike the other mines in Upper Nidderdale, there appeared to be no air shaft position marked on any of the old OS maps. However the 1892 map has a small 10ft x 10ft "sheepfold" abutting a drystone wall in the field we initially dug when aligning the mine survey compass to true north. Once we discovered the survey compass was aligned to magnetic north in 1890 then adjusting the mine survey overlay on the 1892 OS map put the airshaft squarely in the middle of the "sheepfold".
3. Measuring the distance and angle between the mine portal and the "sheepfold" center on the 1892 OS map and comparing this to the distance and angle measured between the level entrance and the airshaft on the mine survey gave a matched angle (275 degrees) and only a 0.4 meter difference in the distance (153.0 meters from OS map, 153.4 meters from the 1890 mine survey).
4. The goal was thus changed from surveying from the mine entance (with the lack of reference position as noted above) to instead locating the center of the "sheepfold" (in reality the airshaft top walling). The walling of the sheepfold had been removed prior to the surveying of the 1909 OS map - so it no longer existed back then and must have been removed during the mine closure. However there was a convenient wall T junction on the other side of the drystone wall directly in line with one edge of the sheepfold. The wall T junction was still in existance and this made the "X marks the spot" placement trivial
5. The "sinking" patch of the field the farmer had pointed out to us as his belief of the airshaft location (wrong distance!) now lined up directly over the lower adit. We could check this easily with an on-line LIDAR map. This sink hole marks where a ground water flow crosses over the mine adit - we know this as we used an excavator to dig out 4 meters depth of this sink hole to find a ground water stream at 3.5 meters depth that immediately sank away at the bottom of the hole we made.
6. How did we find what the actual compass alignment on the mine survey was? The problem we had was the compass drawing was not apparently annotated leaving us with no option other than to assume it was pointed true north as that never changes. Half of the compass drawing was hidden by a substantial water stain which would be hiding any annotations. However while researching for the mines chapter of the BSD "Exporation of Nidderdale Caves" I came across the mine abandonment surveys for both Lolly Scar and Blayshaw Gill lead mines. Both these mines were run by Joseph Cradock's company along with Limley and both these surveys had compasses clearly annotated "Magnetic Meridian <a date>". So the Limly survey compass was pointing at magnetic north! So some quick correspondence with the North Yorkshire Country Records Office who have the survey originals (we have only seen lower resolution B&W microfiche copies) and I was sent a high resolution colour photograph of the compass drawing. Now the water stain was seen as being brown (not black as in the microfiche) and the compass stem was clearly visible in black ink. Along the stem was the tiny writing "M.M. 1890". Now we had completed the fix of the airshaft with certainty.
Last edited:
Goydenman
Well-known member
Further update.... a scaffold box frame now constructed by Dan's shaft in Limley mine. This will be boarded above to support the loose roof. We then plan to build scaffold anchored from the box into the shaft (behind the diagonal board to support that roof before we descend to explore. The dream ticket is to explore a natural sink shown on a survey of the mine and connect the mine to New Goyden pot.
Goydenman
Well-known member
Last Saturday we aimed to get the 750mm pipe (kindly paid for by the CNCC, thanks guys) into the bottom of the entrance shaft. Knowing that careful work was needed removing some scaffold and planks safely we knew it might take all day. Dan supported by Chris got to work while the rest of the team, Tony, Ian, Beth and Tom got to work cutting and making ready the pipe, plus lowering resources into the hole. To our delight the pipe was in and back filled around by lunch. Tom and Tony suggested we get the 900mm lowered in, Chris was unsure if this could be done without the farmer's help with a digger but was persuaded it could be. Under co-ordination by expert Tom the 900mm pipe by using the 750mm off cut as a fulcrum and ropes the was steadily lowered into place. This pipe was funded by the club with grateful donation from the Barry Andrews fund, thanks. With just gentle persuasion it was fed between the scaffold bars and came to rest on the 750mm pipe below. A jiggle of the pipe by Chris standing on it and plop it slotted nicely over the 750. With still time left in the day before usual 3pm finish the whole team backfilled around the pipe with stones. Job done.
The 750mm pipe in place and backfilled
The Nidderdale canon! as the 900mm was steadily lowered into position
View down the 900mm pipe successfully installed in the Limley mine airshaft with the 750mm pipe visible at the base
Job done with the pipe backfilled ready for fitting a lid. Good teamwork by in the photo Ian, Chris, Tom and Dan plus Beth (getting stuff from the car) and of course Tony (taking the photo). Special mention to Tony for the success of this project after his successful research into the location of Limley mine airshaft. Plus fantastic support from the local farmer Richard, the Barry Andrews fund and donation from the CNCC. Once the lid i fitted we can then explore the mine and natural caves below at our leisure.
The 750mm pipe in place and backfilled
The Nidderdale canon! as the 900mm was steadily lowered into position
View down the 900mm pipe successfully installed in the Limley mine airshaft with the 750mm pipe visible at the base
Job done with the pipe backfilled ready for fitting a lid. Good teamwork by in the photo Ian, Chris, Tom and Dan plus Beth (getting stuff from the car) and of course Tony (taking the photo). Special mention to Tony for the success of this project after his successful research into the location of Limley mine airshaft. Plus fantastic support from the local farmer Richard, the Barry Andrews fund and donation from the CNCC. Once the lid i fitted we can then explore the mine and natural caves below at our leisure.
The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
Fantastic. The way to go with surface digs.
The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
We were lucky with our pipes as we got them free second hand from works associated with Hinkley Point Power Station. We mostly used the 900mm but for the 7m deep shafts we built a reducing platform to top off the 900 with 750. A thick surface concrete plate with a gate was added on top. We have three such shafts in our Mineshafts Project now. We used 900mm concrete pipes for Vurley as they were in the next field and were free but it needed a big machine to move them. Yes definitely the way to go now. Remember to add ladder through bolts before the pipe goes in.
Goydenman
Well-known member
So far we have found 70m of open mine in Limley mine. There is some scaffolding to install to make safe the western limit and ahead is a partial blockage. Peering through a hole in the top (see photo) we can see open mine beyond and this should be close now to the junction. Ahead the main mine section going into the hillside and left a long cross cut finishing close to New Goyden pot. I was trying to hold my phone while at the same time holding a torch and avoiding touching a very loose block..... apologies for the lack of light to see what truly is ahead. But in ther New Year we should have some video/photos of what is found
Wolfo
Member
I'm obviciously german, but mining technology was pretty similar over europe.
This is a wood cramp used to fix a round timber to prevend sideway movements. Usually more for shaft support, but also sometimes in adits.
mr conners
Member
Cramp is a more traditional term for clamp in woodworking. Depending on who I'm working with and in what workshop depends on the term used. However, it's basically the same thing.
Cantclimbtom
Well-known member
Whether we call it a clamp or cramp... It's very helpfully identified.
I've seen this both pictured and in person and previously people said maybe a bucket handle (which never seemed right to me) and now it makes sense.
Thank you Wolfo.
royfellows
Well-known member
More usual are wrought iron large "staples" often found in mines. Acording to the late Simon Hughes they were termed "Timber Dogs"
Used for transporting heavy timbers and securing services such as air and water pipes, shaft timbers, ladders, and whatever useful purpose they could be put to. I was confused by the angled brackets on the one in the photo, I have seen similar with straight brackets in line which were the handles from kibles.
Used for transporting heavy timbers and securing services such as air and water pipes, shaft timbers, ladders, and whatever useful purpose they could be put to. I was confused by the angled brackets on the one in the photo, I have seen similar with straight brackets in line which were the handles from kibles.
The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
Large staple from our project c 1800. Another hammered into a beam in the shaft. Upright so likely used in transporting the beam.
Wolfo
Member
Usually they were not used for transport, but for fixing support timber before the backfill.
The rounded ones are not as common as the straigt "staples" but where used in shaft support, for example to fix stingers for the corb guides.
For fixing pipes, air hoses, ladders etc. usually open hooks were used, I might have a picture somewhere. But could be locally different.
A usual example for fixing adit support:
See here
(copyright @ FELDHAUS Bergbau GmbH & Co. KG)
The rounded ones are not as common as the straigt "staples" but where used in shaft support, for example to fix stingers for the corb guides.
For fixing pipes, air hoses, ladders etc. usually open hooks were used, I might have a picture somewhere. But could be locally different.
A usual example for fixing adit support:
See here
(copyright @ FELDHAUS Bergbau GmbH & Co. KG)
The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
Ours is on top of a massive beam across the shaft below the engine house. No backfill and I cant see how it related to any pump rods. I might take a photo of it after New Year.
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