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Yes Foster's description/photograph (the image was taken at a mid-Welsh lead mine) was from around 1880s but it was his written descriptions of what went before formal capping that I thought might be useful Cheers Catherine -----Original Message----- From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Robert Waterhouse Sent: 13 May 2011 16:55 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: 18th-century shaft capping Dear Catherine, Beehive capping is known from the Bristol coalfield - Serridge Engine shaft has a brick beehive cap, though of C19, not C18 date. I think I've seen it in Northern England in stone rubble, but its unheard of in SW England. The standard response in the C18 in Devon & Cornwall was in fact to put a hedgebank ring or wall around the shaft to prevent farm animals from falling in, while keeping the shaft open for use by future miners. The C19 and later 'boom and bust' mining tradition by specially formed companies was not generally the case before c.1800, when mining was more of a local/casual affair. A lease might be taken on by a group of adventurers, or worked by the landowner themselves, but in periods of inactivity the shafts etc tended to remain open, though protected in the way described above. Perhaps that's why there isn't much evidence, Phil. I seem to recall mortared stone arching being used in the Bere peninsula silver mines in the C17 - Peter Claughton will be able to quote details. Robert Waterhouse -----Original Message----- From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Catherine Mills Sent: 13 May 2011 16:28 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: 18th-century shaft capping Good afternoon list For the 19th century in the Mines Inspectors Reports it was a particular concern of Inspector Clement Le Neve Foster's and he gives detailed descriptions of the inadequacy of previous methods (metal mining) and some early photographs of 'beehive capping' which he considered the most appropriate method - I don't know if that might be of any help? Regards Catherine -----Original Message----- From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Phil Newman Sent: 13 May 2011 16:19 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: 18th-century shaft capping Dear list, A former colleague has asked me if there is any recognised method of shaft capping recorded in the late 18th century. I could point him to the usual anecdotal version of branches, timber and whatever else was to hand being chucked into the shaft opening, then capped off with loose spoil and earth, but can anyone point to a contemporary written record of how this was done? Did mine engineers have a prescribed capping method or was it done just anyhow, as the anecdotal record suggests? I suspect it was rarely miners who did this task and more likely it was estate workers and farmers making their land safe in the aftermath of mining, in which case record is unlikely - any thoughts? Thanks Phil Newman -- The Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year 2009/2010 The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159. -- The Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year 2009/2010 The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159.