[log in to unmask] wrote:
> 
> Sorry Mike, but I do not know about your example at Level Fawr.
> 
> Are both levels in the vein?  The horizontal error suggests not.
> 
> If both headings were in country rock, then it looks as though they
> were intended to meet end on.  Sadly, surveying errors do occur
> and it rather sounds as though you may have one at Level Fawr.
> 
> Am I right in thinking that Level Fawr is not too far from
> Cwmystwyth and that there is an Alderson's Level in that area too.
> If so, was the mine once held by the same Aldersons who were at
> Cwmystwyth in the 1820s?  If so, they also worked the Old Gang
> Mine, where Martin Roe's Victoria Level is to be found.  Perhaps
> their surveyor needed a new dial.
> 
> Mike Gill
> 
> --------------------------------
> Mike Gill
> 
> President and Recorder of the NORTHERN MINE RESEARCH SOCIETY
> 
> Britain's foremost mining history society at:-
> http://www.exeter.ac.uk/~RBurt/MinHistNet/NMRS.html
> 
> --------------------------------


Dear Mike,

Yes, the Alderson Bros. had a lease on the mines at Cwmystwyth from 1822
onwards in partnership with James Raw. The level is to be found on the
west bank of the Nant yr onnen stream and is accessible but wet at the
end - working the Kingside Lode. They were working elsewhere in the area
- driving the long adit at Cwmrheidol to de-water and work the bottoms
of Ystumtuen. Maybe the driving of long straight levels was a Northern
Pennine speciality. I can't comment on their dialling abilities,
although I am aware of the step in Level Fawr, Pontryhdygroes. That
level, as you may know, was begun circa. 1790's (Probert's Level Fawr)
and was much later continued, in particular by John Taylor to de-water
and work the Lisburne Mines which included Logaulas, Glogfawr and
Glogfach.

By the way, the descent of Skinner's Shaft at Glog fach (a descent in
several stages) some 700' to within eye-shot of Level Fawr was possible
some 15-20 years back by weaving in and out of poised skips jammed
across the skip-road. One of the most horrific experiences to be
encountered and not to be recommended to the faint-hearted. Pit work,
rods and rising main intact with much other machinery including winches,
compressor etc. dating from perhaps the turn of the century (or pre-
great War). Quite fantastic, and not surprisingly unvisited.

Much work was done some 8-10 years ago in clearing out Level Fawr and I
think a through trip was possible. I don't know of the current
situation, but Peter Harvey of Llywernog Silver-Lead Mining Museum
could  appraise you of this, since he has the mining rights and access
for L F.

Simon


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