Warning - Devonshire Mine entrance subsidance
- Thread starter DCA
- Start date
AR
Well-known member
From the photos that Pete and I have seen, it does look like there's just minor instability in the area under the door so if that's the case then a bit of excavation and rebuilding with reinforcement should fettle it. However, I'd value a second opinion from you Ric (twisted ankle is preventing me from going and seeing for myself!), so if you could head up there in the near future and let us know what you think, that'd be great.
LarryFatcat
Active member
There is a combination lock on the gate, the code works, and you can probably squeeze around it.owd git said:
LarryFatcat
Active member
yep the combo worked, I had forgotten to get it but phone reception near the entrance gave me internet access to the DCA registry and the 4 digit codePete K said:
SqueezyPete
Member
What's the state of the lower entrance at the moment?
SqueezyPete
Member
I'd like to help but I don't have much to offer, I like the cave because we can get to it easily without a car. I'd offer a helping hand after christmas if anything happens!
Aside from the entrance subsidence the lower series should be grand to look around right? Assuming we take care with the bits near the infill.
Aside from the entrance subsidence the lower series should be grand to look around right? Assuming we take care with the bits near the infill.
AR
Well-known member
The ankle's about 90% of the way back to being fully operational, just need to keep doing my physio exercises to stretch and flex it.
I'll let people know when I'm thinking of heading up there, I'm thinking it might be possible to dig out underneath and rebuild with drystone packwall for the time being, and then go back and mortar it up later in the spring?
I'll let people know when I'm thinking of heading up there, I'm thinking it might be possible to dig out underneath and rebuild with drystone packwall for the time being, and then go back and mortar it up later in the spring?
Pete K
Well-known member
Ah great, that's handy to know.
I'm probably not going to personally get a chance to deal with this until at least mid Jan. I might be able to get over for a look before, but certainly not to organise the job. I'll let AR go take a look and once we are certain of the fix that needs doing, we can see about trying to find someone to coordinate the work. If you up for that OG, and want to pick a date that works for you, DCA will naturally cover all costs and I can find as many local helpers as you need. No probs if you're too busy, it can keep for a while as there is another way in after all.
Pete
I'm probably not going to personally get a chance to deal with this until at least mid Jan. I might be able to get over for a look before, but certainly not to organise the job. I'll let AR go take a look and once we are certain of the fix that needs doing, we can see about trying to find someone to coordinate the work. If you up for that OG, and want to pick a date that works for you, DCA will naturally cover all costs and I can find as many local helpers as you need. No probs if you're too busy, it can keep for a while as there is another way in after all.
Pete
AR
Well-known member
Update - December 28
Having a couple of hours free this afternoon, I've been to take a look and start the repair work. On arriving at the door, I found there was a very large gap underneath it that could easily be squeezed through (see pic 1), the hazard tape was broken, and the door wasn't bolted - to whoever has been going in this way, all I'll say is which bit of "do not use this entrance" don't you understand, and would you like it explaining in words of one syllable whilst being hit round the head with a shovel?
First job needed was to clear all the old soil and leaf mold from around the door; this is a job that really needs doing every couple of years to keep a free swing. Ten minutes with the folding shovel had this sorted, though I upset a lot of worms in the process. Next, I had a good look at the inside; the large boulder and its surrounding rocks didn't look to have moved, it was the choss on top of it that had gone downslope and caused the hole.
There was plenty of rock in the entrance chamber so I set to work creating a packwall to fill up the gap and spent the next hour walling. As can be seen from photo 2, I've got the gap mostly filled up but not completely, so more work is needed and mortaring up to really secure everything. In the meantime, please continue to only use the upper entrance. I also think there's some work needed on the big stones below to make certain they don't move. Photo 3 shows just how big the hole under the door had got!
Having a couple of hours free this afternoon, I've been to take a look and start the repair work. On arriving at the door, I found there was a very large gap underneath it that could easily be squeezed through (see pic 1), the hazard tape was broken, and the door wasn't bolted - to whoever has been going in this way, all I'll say is which bit of "do not use this entrance" don't you understand, and would you like it explaining in words of one syllable whilst being hit round the head with a shovel?
First job needed was to clear all the old soil and leaf mold from around the door; this is a job that really needs doing every couple of years to keep a free swing. Ten minutes with the folding shovel had this sorted, though I upset a lot of worms in the process. Next, I had a good look at the inside; the large boulder and its surrounding rocks didn't look to have moved, it was the choss on top of it that had gone downslope and caused the hole.
There was plenty of rock in the entrance chamber so I set to work creating a packwall to fill up the gap and spent the next hour walling. As can be seen from photo 2, I've got the gap mostly filled up but not completely, so more work is needed and mortaring up to really secure everything. In the meantime, please continue to only use the upper entrance. I also think there's some work needed on the big stones below to make certain they don't move. Photo 3 shows just how big the hole under the door had got!
Attachments
AR
Well-known member
Update 14/1/20 - Another session tonight, this time with help from Richard Finnigan, Mart Long, Shirley Burtonshaw and Arthur Wilson. Richard and Mart dealt with the bit under the frame, I rebuilt the bits behind the ladder, while Shirley and Arthur fetched stone for us.
The packwall is now much more solid, Richard rebuilt some of the bits I'd done in a hurry on the last session with more care and attention. Mortaring still to do though....
The packwall is now much more solid, Richard rebuilt some of the bits I'd done in a hurry on the last session with more care and attention. Mortaring still to do though....
royfellows
Well-known member
I cant help wondering whether concrete would form a better solution?
Relatively easy to get materials close to the mine, plenty water inside not far in.
Mortaring the packwall built would possibly make something more permanent?
Relatively easy to get materials close to the mine, plenty water inside not far in.
Mortaring the packwall built would possibly make something more permanent?