Interestingly, this technique is known from Devon too, or at least I assume so, as we also have apparently unneccessary shafts a short distance from the adit mouth. I have observed these in various parts of Devon, around Dartmoor and in the Tamar Valley in the 18th-19th century.
Robert Waterhouse
Tamar Mining Group
>
> From: "Worsfold, Mike" <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Wed 08/Jan/2003 15:26 GMT
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: North Pennine coal mining
>
> There is a theory, in Shropshire anyway, that a shaft quite near to the
> entrance seems to ventilate an adit for a relatively great distance inby of
> the shaft. And it does seem to work.
>
> Mike Worsfold
> Shropshire Mines Trust
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: GRAHAM BROOKS [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 08 January 2003 15:08
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: North Pennine coal mining
>
>
> I have recently been looking at late C18th early C19th coal mines that
> belonged to the Earl of Carlisle in the Gelt Valley in the north Pennines.
>
> There are two types of mine represented in the area
>
> either the standerd bell which now shows as a conical depression surounded
> by a ring of spoil, or adits running into the fell sidewith a spoil heap
> outside.
>
> My query concerns these adit type mines the majority of them appear to have
> shafts sunk from the surface to the adit approximately 50 - 150 metres from
> the adit enterance. Most of these shafts will be fairly shallow as the
> ground into which the adits are driven is not particularly steeply sloping.
>
> Can any one suggest a reason for these shafts. They occur on both single
> adit sites and also sites where two or more adits enter close together.
>
> My thoughts are
>
> 1. original exploration sites to determine thickness of coal etc.
>
> 2. Ventilation
>
> 3. haulage. But in all cases the road access to the site is to the adit
> enterance.
>
> If anyone can give references to similar sites I would be very grateful.
>
>
>
>
> Graham Brooks
>
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