Speedwell
- Thread starter Ralph
- Start date
paul
Moderator
From "The Derbyshire Caver" No 121, part of an article by John Barnatt and Dave Webb:
"In 1772 lead miners started driving what was then a ‘state of the art’ underground canal level, from the base of a shaft close to the bottom of Winnats Pass, to mineral veins to the south including Faucet Rake and New Rake beyond; both were intersected by natural caverns of the Speedwell System (Rieuwerts and Ford 1985). They already knew of the existence of these natural cave passages, as miners had entered them beforehand via both Pilkington’s Cavern and the Leviathan Pitch/Boulder Piles (Ford 1992; Nixon and Warriner 1997). Hence, the rough direction and depth at which to drive to intersect the main Speedwell streamway were known; the resulting canal would make extraction of the ore from depth a much easier proposition. This ambitious but ultimately financially unsuccessful project was probably completed in 1782, one year after breaking into the streamway. At the time of the breakthrough two miners explored the stream way to Main Rising. They climbed into the nearby entrance to Cliff Passage and commemorated this momentous breakthrough, inscribing their initials and the well-known ‘A Health to All Mines and Mentainers of Mines’ together with a drawing of a bottle and glass, and probably a second crude drawing of a boat (possibly added later). This is one of the most interesting and historically significant examples of miner’s graffiti in the Peak District."
The article also has a list of other inscriptions at the same place.
"In 1772 lead miners started driving what was then a ‘state of the art’ underground canal level, from the base of a shaft close to the bottom of Winnats Pass, to mineral veins to the south including Faucet Rake and New Rake beyond; both were intersected by natural caverns of the Speedwell System (Rieuwerts and Ford 1985). They already knew of the existence of these natural cave passages, as miners had entered them beforehand via both Pilkington’s Cavern and the Leviathan Pitch/Boulder Piles (Ford 1992; Nixon and Warriner 1997). Hence, the rough direction and depth at which to drive to intersect the main Speedwell streamway were known; the resulting canal would make extraction of the ore from depth a much easier proposition. This ambitious but ultimately financially unsuccessful project was probably completed in 1782, one year after breaking into the streamway. At the time of the breakthrough two miners explored the stream way to Main Rising. They climbed into the nearby entrance to Cliff Passage and commemorated this momentous breakthrough, inscribing their initials and the well-known ‘A Health to All Mines and Mentainers of Mines’ together with a drawing of a bottle and glass, and probably a second crude drawing of a boat (possibly added later). This is one of the most interesting and historically significant examples of miner’s graffiti in the Peak District."
The article also has a list of other inscriptions at the same place.
Pitlamp
Well-known member
Al mentioned a sump with water sinking into it, in the Pit Props area. This is described in more detail in the CDG Peak District Sump Index 1994 page 69. However it is possible that this water emerges downstream of the Bung Hole from an immature bedding in the south wall of the streamway. The sump has been dived and followed for a couple of body lengths (in very small passage) but no-one has fancied pushing it further. I'm not sure that anyone has ever properly sorted out the fine detail of the localised hydrology hereabouts; maybe now is a good time to do it, in the very low flow?
Incidentally in 1997 I took quite a lot of photographs of inscriptions in Peak and Speedwell and placed copies of all these in a folder which was given to the BCRA Library. This was in case any of them ever became damaged; at least there would still be a record of them. (Just mentioned here so that people interested in the Peak system can keep it at the back of their minds.)
Incidentally in 1997 I took quite a lot of photographs of inscriptions in Peak and Speedwell and placed copies of all these in a folder which was given to the BCRA Library. This was in case any of them ever became damaged; at least there would still be a record of them. (Just mentioned here so that people interested in the Peak system can keep it at the back of their minds.)
T
Tripod
Guest
There was a complete length of signal ladder by a disused railway near Derby. I thought how useful it was but did not have a project or means of transporting it at the time. Might still be there, maybe along with others in similar locations.
T
Tripod
Guest
Point taken and a fairly conspicuous item to be seen with (but it still seems a waste, when it could be made use of). Still attached to the remains of the concrete signal post, just laying on the embankment (railway buffs will have more idea now).
I'm hoping to get a new stainless steel ladder manufactured and fitted to The Bung within the next week or so (courtesy of "The Peak Fund"). However I desperately need some measurements and photographs taking THIS weekend but I'm unable to get down there myself.
If anyone who is familiar with the system is able to do this can they get in touch (07779797388) (RJohncaveATaolDOTcom) ASAP.
I can arrange for a boat trip in but you may need to walk out if the boats are full!
Saturday would be best as I could meet them on The Peak Cavern car park at 0930 to supply details of exactly what is required.
If anyone who is familiar with the system is able to do this can they get in touch (07779797388) (RJohncaveATaolDOTcom) ASAP.
I can arrange for a boat trip in but you may need to walk out if the boats are full!
Saturday would be best as I could meet them on The Peak Cavern car park at 0930 to supply details of exactly what is required.
Cave_Troll
Active member
did the measurements we took last time not help?
Cave_Troll
Active member
sorted.
Thanks to all who volunteered their assistance and particularly to those who took the final vital measurements today. Materials are ordered and with luck the ladder will be manufactured this coming week and in place ASAP afterwards.
Proof (if proof was needed) that all your ?1 donations to "The Peak Fund" go to a worthy cause. Let's hope the "Boulder Piles" can be sorted in the very near future if only to the enable "The Coffin Dodgers" to continue visiting Titan without the arduous exits via Titan or JH. Remember guys - eventually, with luck, one day you'll be relying on "young 'uns" to enable you to continue pursuing the sport you've enjoyed for more than ten decades. Keep up the good work.
Proof (if proof was needed) that all your ?1 donations to "The Peak Fund" go to a worthy cause. Let's hope the "Boulder Piles" can be sorted in the very near future if only to the enable "The Coffin Dodgers" to continue visiting Titan without the arduous exits via Titan or JH. Remember guys - eventually, with luck, one day you'll be relying on "young 'uns" to enable you to continue pursuing the sport you've enjoyed for more than ten decades. Keep up the good work.
The shiny new stainless ladder is now in place thanks to cavers from various clubs (CCPC, MCG, SUSS, TSG- apologies to any I've missed) and of course The Coffin Dodgers. Thanks especially to Ade Pedley (CCPC & Hyperion) who manufactured and assembled (with assistance) the ladder yesterday. One more visit is required to secure the top of the ladder and to do a little more pointing on a section of The Bung that was difficult to access previously. Nice to see so many cavers of all ages (18- 70+!) from a number of Peak District clubs working together in harmony.
ditzy 24//7
Active member
new ladder going in
waiting to be fixed
looking up to me at the top
old bits waiting to come out
Ralph, i am 19 atm so not such a good age range
Cave_Troll
Active member
didn't it used to be off to one side for a reason?
It was moved to one side when the last repair was done about 5 years ago in an attempt to avoid some of the water but it appeared to make naff all difference. I think (but could be wrong) that the new ladder will make life a little easier (drier) in moderate conditions but in wet conditions the result will be the same- you'll drown.
Might want some more pointing-up done if anyone is free, that's if we don't do it before the weekend.
Might want some more pointing-up done if anyone is free, that's if we don't do it before the weekend.
