In November, on the field visit prior to the MINET conference in Ireland, we
were looking at the Tankardstown engine house site, part of Knockmahon
Copper Mines in co. Waterford, when someone, probably Des Cowman, mentioned
that it had been used as a set in making a prisoner of war escape film in
the late 1960s. Therefore it was with interest that I watched 'The McKenzie
Break', released in 1970, on S4C (also shown on Channel 4) last night.
The closing sequence of the film, when the escapees abandon their lorry and
descend the cliff to a waiting submarine, is shot at Tankardstown. There
are a number of close aerial shots of the engine house complex showing the
collar of the Engine Shaft. A common act of vandalism is then committed on
film as the lorry is pushed down the shaft. Today the shaft has been
backfilled with spoil, all no doubt supported by the rusting remains of that
lorry, and its exact position is not immediately clear from the current
surface features.
An archeo- geophysical survey of the Tankardstown site is currently in hand
with NIU Galway prior to consolidation / preservation of the engine houses.
Perhaps 'The McKenzie Break' should be compulsory viewing for the survey team?
Peter
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Peter Claughton, Blaenpant Morfil, Rosebush, Clynderwen,
Pembrokeshire, Wales SA66 7RE.
Tel. 01437 532578; Fax. 01437 532921; Mobile 07831 427599
University of Exeter - Department of History
School of Historical, Political and Sociological Studies
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Co-owner - mining-history e-mail discussion list.
See http://www.mailbase.ac.uk/lists/mining-history/ for details.
Mining History Pages - http://www.exeter.ac.uk/~pfclaugh/mhinf/
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