The Nent Force level and Brewery Shaft, Peter Wilkinson, 105pp B5 pb, the
author is well known within Mining History circles and this is one of the
best known mining ventures in the UK. The Nenthead mines are some of the
most visited and yet not a great deal has been written in recent years about
history of the mines.
The book includes three walks around the area supplemented by sketch maps,
plans and colour photos. Albeit these are clustered together in a separate
section to reduce printing costs. The walks include mining features and the
general explanations are clear and concise.
I am pleased to see an easy to understand explanation of the operation of
Brewery Shaft which was used by various means of hydraulics and water power
to not only generate electricity but also compressed air. Water was fed from
the dam to a the top of a 70ft tower above the shaft and then dropped 400ft
pulling air with it and then the water was pushed 250ft back up to Rampgill
level and allowed to drop down again to power Pelton wheels.
Peter explains in brief detail the very complex history of the area and
cleverly uses extracts from historical documents and extracts by the likes
of Sopwith and Westgarth Forster to explain and understand events and
developments at the Mines. There are only 2 pages on the Geology of the
area which provides an overview but is very brief
In all this is very good book it acts as a signpost to further reading and
more serious tomes, it is aimed at historian and casual visitor alike and is
a worthy addition to your bookshelf.
£9.95 + £1.00 p&p
WWW.moorebooks.co.uk
[log in to unmask]
|