Interesting Tunnels
Tony Clayton
Do I gather from the lack of response that no tunnel is considered
by anyone to be sufficiently interesting to be awarded the 'Most
Interesting Canal Tunnel' award?
--
Tony Clayton
'Linton'
Godalming Wharf
Malcolm Nixon
Well Ok then Tony - I'll kick it off with my three favourite tunnels -
those that I have been through.
Harcastle - has to be the obvious one, even though probably the most used -
long tunnel. I remember my first trip about 20 years ago
when the old towpath was still there, and you had to avoid both the remains
of said towpath, and the low roof.
Even more recently - it is still a great experience - knowing that this
structure - built be Telford, is still used by hundreds of boats a year.
Netherton Tunnel, is a favourite - although some may say boring, but it was
one of the last built, has two towpaths, is wide and
VERY deep, you can just keep going at normal speed or even faster - 4mph
!!.
Leek Tunnel - almost at the end of the present arm - just looks so low, but
is short and sweet.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Malcolm Nixon ma...@dial.pipex.com
Perthshire, Scotland
____________________________________
Tony Clayton <to...@tclayton.demon.co.uk> wrote in article
<19961226....@tclayton.demon.co.uk>...
John Bennett
x-posted to uk.rec.subterranea (whose charter includes canal tunnels)
On Thu, 26 Dec 1996 Malcolm Nixon <ma...@dial.pipex.com> wrote:
>
>Tony Clayton <to...@tclayton.demon.co.uk>..
>> Do I gather from the lack of response that no tunnel is considered
>> by anyone to be sufficiently interesting to be awarded the 'Most
>> Interesting Canal Tunnel' award?
>Well Ok then Tony - I'll kick it off with my three favourite tunnels -
>those that I have been through.
>
>Harcastle - has to be the obvious one, even though probably the most used -
>long tunnel. I remember my first trip about 20 years ago
>when the old towpath was still there, and you had to avoid both the remains
>of said towpath, and the low roof.
>Even more recently - it is still a great experience - knowing that this
>structure - built be Telford, is still used by hundreds of boats a year.
>
>Netherton Tunnel, is a favourite - although some may say boring, but it was
>one of the last built, has two towpaths, is wide and
>VERY deep, you can just keep going at normal speed or even faster - 4mph
>!!.
>
>Leek Tunnel - almost at the end of the present arm - just looks so low, but
>is short and sweet.
>
My "most interesting canal tunnel" is the Lapal Tunnel (nr. Halesowen)
on the abandoned section of the Dudley No.2 canal. Finished in 1798
and the fourth longest canal tunnel built in Britain at 3795 yards, it
finally fell into disuse due to subsidence around 1917 after many
attempts at rebuilding over the previous years.
Despite previous postings no-one has yet positively confirmed that much
of the tunnel was filled in with concrete during the construction of the
M5 Motorway in the early 70s, such that restoration would be impossible.
It is the canal tunnel I would most like to navigate (some time in the
future maybe?).
John
--
John Bennett
Cheddar **To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive**
Somerset UK (Robert Louis Stevenson)
Michael J Wooding
In article <01bbf330$a855ddc0$LocalHost@mgn>, Malcolm Nixon
<ma...@dial.pipex.com> writes
>Well Ok then Tony - I'll kick it off with my three favourite tunnels -
>those that I have been through.
Our favourite used to be Armitage Tunnel - which of course now isn't.
Also Fenny Tunnel - another one that now isn't!
Happy New Year ... Krystyna & Mike
nb Wa'Na'Nee'Che
--
Michael J Wooding G6IQM email: vhf-...@g6iqm.demon.co.uk
http://www.eolas.co.uk/ag/vhfcomm.htm & http://www.clearlight.com/~vhfcomm
KM Publications, 5 Ware Orchard, Barby, Nr.Rugby, CV23 8UF, UK
Tel: (0)1788 890365 Fax: (0)1788 891883
VHF Communications Magazine - Especially covering VHF, UHF and Microwaves
C. Marin Faure
In article <19961226....@tclayton.demon.co.uk>,
to...@tclayton.demon.co.uk wrote:
> Do I gather from the lack of response that no tunnel is considered
> by anyone to be sufficiently interesting to be awarded the 'Most
> Interesting Canal Tunnel' award?
It's been several years since we've done the northern portion of the Trent
& Mersey, but there is one tunnel in that section, perhaps it is the
Preston Brook, that has a rather remarkable chamber in the middle of its
length. I believe a collapse required some excavation and shoring up, and
in the end result was a sort of cathedral-like chamber, perhaps even
tiled, in the middle. There is a ventilation opening in the center of
this chamber that let in enough light to see the surrounding "cavern." If
it isn't the Preston Brook it is the Saltersford or Barnton Tunnel that
has the chamber.
I don't know if this qualifies it for the "most interesting" award, but it
was an unexpected feature that set this tunnel apart from our long but
uneventful Harcastle passage.
C. Marin Faure
author, Flying a Floatplane
Kelvin Lake
On the interesting tunnels subject, I would have thought Dudley Tunnel
would rank as the most interesting.
Apart from the main route through the hill, there are the various
'modern' (1984 and 1989) tunnels built by the Dudley Canal Trust
connecting to old sections of tunnel - how many tunnels have round trips
in them?
Also there are numerous abandoned canal, mine and tramway tunnels all
interconnected by large limestone caverns, over the years I managed to
explore many of them - some even within Dudley Zoo's bear enclosure! but
there are still areas which haven't been explored for years, including
the Wrens Nests tunnels where the British Association for the
advancement of Science once held their conference dinner!
Kelvin Lake
Shropshire Caving & Mining Club ^o^
-------------------------------
Club introduction at http://www.xs4all.nl/~jorbons/scmc.html
and activities at http://www.serve.com/scmc/index.html
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Members of: Midland Cave Rescue Organisation, BCRA, & NAMHO ^o^
------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Jones
In article <qvcjdIAP...@lake22.demon.co.uk>, Kelvin Lake (sc...@lake22.demon.co.uk) writes:
>On the interesting tunnels subject, I would have thought Dudley Tunnel
>would rank as the most interesting.
>
>Apart from the main route through the hill, there are the various
>'modern' (1984 and 1989) tunnels built by the Dudley Canal Trust
>connecting to old sections of tunnel - how many tunnels have round trips
>in them?
>
>Also there are numerous abandoned canal, mine and tramway tunnels all
>interconnected by large limestone caverns, over the years I managed to
>explore many of them - some even within Dudley Zoo's bear enclosure! but
>there are still areas which haven't been explored for years, including
>the Wrens Nests tunnels where the British Association for the
>advancement of Science once held their conference dinner!
Otherwise known as the 'Dark Cavern', I think. I've been in
this; it's really amazing. Complete with a canal running along
the bottom ... It ought to be restored, but it will cost a *lot*
to stabilise to hanging wall (roof!).
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John Jones ja...@rhyolite.win-uk.net
Birmingham
England
____________________________________________________________________
Chris Wright
In article <19961226....@tclayton.demon.co.uk>, Tony Clayton
<to...@tclayton.demon.co.uk> writes
>Do I gather from the lack of response that no tunnel is considered
>by anyone to be sufficiently interesting to be awarded the 'Most
>Interesting Canal Tunnel' award?
>
I rather like Gosty Hill, with it's wildly
varying headroom. It even has the distinction
of the much-photographed ventilation shaft
a few feet from someone's front window :)
--
Chris Wright
ki...@cityscape.co.uk
HUW DAVIES
>Do I gather from the lack of response that no tunnel is considered
>by anyone to be sufficiently interesting to be awarded the 'Most
>Interesting Canal Tunnel' award?
I know this is a rather old thread now but I've not been lurking since before
Xmas. In my opinion the inside of tunnels are much of a muchness. My award
would have to go to the tunnel with most interesting walk over the top. Of
course this works best if you can get someone else to drive the boat through.
I have only walked a handful (and got hopelessly lost on two occasions). In
reverse order, I would award third place to Gosty Hill (featuring the famous
ventilation shaft in the front garden of a house in Station Road, and a less
famous set of very wide steps leading off the main road back down to the
towpath). Number two would have to go to Blisworth (the sheer length of the
walk and the spectacular ventilation shafts make up for the fact that most of
it is level roadway, although you do get to pass under a disused railway bridge
at the Stoke end). Number one has to go to Husband's Bosworth (features a good
climb at both ends, a fantastic view from the A road that crosses over half way
of a line of spoil mounds, and a bridge that carries the horsepath over a now
disused railway - try it next time you're on the Leics sections. Unlike some
its a doddle to follow).
Anyone else got any good tunnel walks?
Huw Davies
Chris Wright
In article <1997Jan...@bay.cc.kcl.ac.uk>, HUW DAVIES
<udb...@bay.cc.kcl.ac.uk> writes
>Anyone else got any good tunnel walks?
Sapperton Tunnel on the Thames & Severn.
Well, OK so the tunnel is disused at the
moment, but it's a great walk.
--
Chris Wright
ki...@cityscape.co.uk
Paul Marshall
In article <1997Jan...@bay.cc.kcl.ac.uk>, HUW DAVIES
<udb...@bay.cc.kcl.ac.uk> writes
>Anyone else got any good tunnel walks?
This is good 'cos you can nominate unnavigable tunnels.
We walked over Sapperton Tunnel just after Christmas on our "Boxing day
walk". The portals have both recently been restored and look pristine.
There are the mounds at the site of each construction shaft, a walk
through some marvelous countryside and good pubs at either end. Whilst
your there you can look at the derelict round house and the source of
the Thames (a bit boring this last bit).
Paul Marshall / \
( @ @ )
L
~~~
"""
Jon Rouse
Paul Marshall wrote:
>
> Whilst
> your there you can look at the derelict round house and the source of
> the Thames (a bit boring this last bit).
I thought it was a dripping tap? I'm sure I saw an expedition to the source
on 'Its a sqaure world' or something similar?
--
Usenet comments do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.
Caution: antispam spoiler in return address!
andy...@aol.com
I once read all about Armitage tunnel, on or near the BCN, which used to
be full of bats, sadly opened out and now a cutting so no bats.
You could consider the covered lock and bridge at Tuel Lane on the
Rochdale, as it has probably the tightest curve of any canal tunnel, and
still retains all the original stonework on the inside.
Otherwise I have to cite the Standedge (say Stannidge) tunnel on the
Huddersfield Narrow. It's the longest at 5698yds and I think the highest
on the system, although closed (apart from as secure parking for a trip
boat!). The primary bore was made party from each end and partly by
hauling spoil up airshafts. The engine houses and resulting spoil heaps
are still a feature of the moor above. Later three railway tunnels were
dug using the canal for spoil removal, hance the canal lies in a long
cutting for some distance past it's portals. Soon it's hoped to be able
to run boat trips at least part of the way in, and now we have 15M quids
of millenium money allocated this begins to look immenant. Visit
Standedge at Diggle (near Oldham) or Marsden (above Huddersfield). Visitor
centre and trip boat (weekends) are at Marsden.
andy...@aol.com (HCS member)
Oliver Clarke
>Also there are numerous abandoned canal, mine and tramway tunnels all
>interconnected by large limestone caverns, over the years I managed to
>explore many of them - some even within Dudley Zoo's bear enclosure! but
>there are still areas which haven't been explored for years, including
>the Wrens Nests tunnels where the British Association for the
>advancement of Science once held their conference dinner!
On that score, of course, I'd love to see the mine workings at Worsley
opened up for public consumption! :-)
Regards,
Oliver Clarke.
--
The Pig Pen <URL:http://www.pigpen.demon.co.uk/>
Support Community - The Computer Communicators Association
"Defending computer communications in the UK"
World Wide Web <URL:http://www.community.org.uk/>
Email <URL:mailto:in...@community.org.uk>
Alastair Law
Jon Rouse <rou...@it.postoffice.co.uk.antispam> wrote:
>Paul Marshall wrote:
>>
>> Whilst
>> your there you can look at the derelict round house and the source of
>> the Thames (a bit boring this last bit).
>
>I thought it was a dripping tap? I'm sure I saw an expedition to the source
>on 'Its a sqaure world' or something similar?
>
Careful, your age is showing.
(I have to admit, that was the image that I thought of as well)
-
Alastair Law alas...@law-home.demon.co.uk
Yeovil, England. PGP public key on keyservers
Guy Morgan
In article <32d6bf27...@news.demon.co.uk>, Alastair Law
<alas...@law-home.demon.co.uk> writes
>Jon Rouse <rou...@it.postoffice.co.uk.antispam> wrote:
>
>>Paul Marshall wrote:
>>>
>>> Whilst
>>> your there you can look at the derelict round house and the source of
>>> the Thames (a bit boring this last bit).
>>
>>I thought it was a dripping tap? I'm sure I saw an expedition to the source
>>on 'Its a sqaure world' or something similar?
>>
>Careful, your age is showing.
>
>(I have to admit, that was the image that I thought of as well)
>
>-
Those were indeed the days. Remember the flea circus and his sand box
sketches?
Guy
--
Guy Morgan nb Thorn
Three Men in a Boat is a novel form of overcrowding
David William Long
In article: <ZvrInFAK...@pigpen.demon.co.uk> oli...@pigpen.demon.co.uk
writes:
>I'd love to see the mine workings at Worsley
> opened up for public consumption! :-)
Worsley is an amazingly under-exploited site. Nestling beside the
M62, on the edge of Mamchester - millions of people, easy access -
but very little made of the Canal and its significance (SECOND
Canal in Industrial England, and starting-place of the English
canal system). The pub is unfriendly to family boaters, the shops
are quite miserable, and the boatyard hardly acts as a magnet for
canal freaks (I don't think it's got a chandlery) despite its very
good reputation. Strange.
David Long
Email: da...@scars.demon.co.uk | Up the Wigan Flight UK
"Some of his words were not Sunday-School words"
Mark Twain - "A Tramp Abroad"
John S.Robinson
fau...@halcyon.com (C. Marin Faure) wrote:
>It's been several years since we've done the northern portion of the Trent
>& Mersey, but there is one tunnel in that section, perhaps it is the
>Preston Brook, that has a rather remarkable chamber in the middle of its
>length. I believe a collapse required some excavation and shoring up, and
>in the end result was a sort of cathedral-like chamber, perhaps even
>tiled, in the middle. There is a ventilation opening in the center of
>this chamber that let in enough light to see the surrounding "cavern." If
>it isn't the Preston Brook it is the Saltersford or Barnton Tunnel that
>has the chamber.
I can't remember the tiled cavern (sounds like a rather posh gents)
but a mate of mine from Winsford tells the story of when a post office
fell into Preston Brook tunnel; I think it was before he was a fan of
post offices because they paid out his pension, but...
When we hired from Claymore at Preston Brook we passed through the
tunnel even if our cruise took us in the opposite direction because
the last night was always spent at Acton Bridge (excellent pub meals
at the bottom of the hill, excellent pub at the top.).
Cheers,
John
Martin Baines
Subject: Re: Interesting Tunnels
> In article <qvcjdIAP...@lake22.demon.co.uk>, Kelvin Lake
> <sc...@lake22.demon.co.uk> writes
>
> >Also there are numerous abandoned canal, mine and tramway tunnels all
> >interconnected by large limestone caverns, over the years I managed to
> >explore many of them - some even within Dudley Zoo's bear enclosure! but
> >there are still areas which haven't been explored for years, including
> >the Wrens Nests tunnels where the British Association for the
> >advancement of Science once held their conference dinner!
The second longest tunnel built for a canal is still usable, but
unfortunately not in a boat! It was on the Thames and Medway
canal, that ran from the Thames at Gravesend to the Medway just
downstream of Strood/Rochester. The canal was never a commercial
success (nothing unusual there then :-)), and the tunnel was
taken over by the railway to avoid them having to build their
own route through the North Downs.
There are parts of the canal still in water, but full restoration
seems pretty unlikely: not only is the tunnel not available,
but most of the urban part of the canal through Gravesend has
disappeared - I remember it being redeveloped in the '60s. Part
of the basin survives at a yatch refuge in Gravesend, although
quite a lot of the basin was lost when the (then) GECB built
some offices on it.
Even if the canal were open, it would not be exactly narrowboat
friendly, linking two pretty challenging tideways. Of course
that would not stop "Progress" from having a go. :-)
Martin
--
Martin Baines - Telecommunications Market Consultant
Silicon Graphics, Arlington Business Park, Reading, RG7 4SB, UK
email: mar...@reading.sgi.com SGI vmail: 6-788-7842
phone: +44 118 925 7842 fax: +44 118 925 7545
URL: http://reality.sgi.com/martinb_reading/
Silicon Surf: http://www.sgi.com/International/UK/
Ian McCarthy
David Long
and the boatyard hardly acts as a magnet for
canal freaks (I don't think it's got a chandlery) despite its very
good reputation. Strange.
to continue a prevoius thread. They forgot the sign. Its one of the best
if not the best dock in the country but you can't work there as the
neighbours complain.
The freaks must have left it us to have more than its fair share, and
as for gonguzelar(sicKKK!) I hate sundays there. Also the church clock
is odd.
chandlery - see son of George and Mary's workshop, can get anything.
Cheers Ian Mac
--- Ian McCarthy --- International Computers Limited (ICL)
--- i...@wg.icl.co.uk
--- All opinions expressed here (however stupid or mis spelt) are my own,
--- and nothing stated here is an official statement by ICL.
--- WARNING **** read the message not the words. *******
_ _|_________|__
\ | TCO | 88 |||
---------------------------------------------------------------------.
|___________________________________________________________________/
Andrew Lawton
>fau...@halcyon.com (C. Marin Faure) wrote:
>
>>It's been several years since we've done the northern portion of the Trent
>>& Mersey, but there is one tunnel in that section, perhaps it is the
>>Preston Brook, that has a rather remarkable chamber in the middle of its
>>length. I believe a collapse required some excavation and shoring up, and
>>in the end result was a sort of cathedral-like chamber, perhaps even
>>tiled, in the middle. There is a ventilation opening in the center of
>>this chamber that let in enough light to see the surrounding "cavern." If
>>it isn't the Preston Brook it is the Saltersford or Barnton Tunnel that
>>has the chamber.
>
>I can't remember the tiled cavern (sounds like a rather posh gents)
>but a mate of mine from Winsford tells the story of when a post office
>fell into Preston Brook tunnel; I think it was before he was a fan of
>post offices because they paid out his pension, but...
It is Preston Brook. The Post Office did not actually fall in but it had to
be demolished. It was one of the backfilled construction access shafts that
broke through the tunnel lining and into the canal. The tiled effect is from
the concrete segments that make up the lining to the shaft. Always reminds
me a bit of the Pantheon in Rome.
regards, Andrew.
and...@testudo.u-net.com-------------------------------------------------
NEVER underestimate the power of human stupidity.
-------------------------------------------------
Martin Ludgate
In message <97011309...@lumley.reading.sgi.com>, Martin
Baines <mar...@lumley.reading.sgi.com> writes
>The second longest tunnel built for a canal is still usable, but
>unfortunately not in a boat! It was on the Thames and Medway
>canal, that ran from the Thames at Gravesend to the Medway just
>downstream of Strood/Rochester. The canal was never a commercial
>success (nothing unusual there then :-)), and the tunnel was
>taken over by the railway to avoid them having to build their
>own route through the North Downs.
>
and Higham - or are those the names of the two tunnels it became when a
section in the middle was opened out?) was that for a short time in 1845
the boats and trains used the tunnel simultaneously - a single track was
laid with one rail on the towpath and the other on supports from the canal
bed. I wonder what happened when a boat horse met a train coming the
other way!
--
Martin Ludgate
Nick Howard
At 02:52 PM 1/13/97 +0000, Martin Ludgate wrote:
>>
>The most interesting thing about this tunnel was that for a short time in 1845
>the boats and trains used the tunnel simultaneously - a single track was
>laid with one rail on the towpath and the other on supports from the canal
>bed. I wonder what happened when a boat horse met a train coming the
>other way!
What has for legs and flies ?? :-) :-) :-)
Nick
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keep your weedhatch tight!!
Nick Howard n...@maths.ntu.ac.uk
nb Little Mo http://www.geocities.com/yosemite/1958
"To voyage on the waterways is not to arrive" Harry Hanson 'Canal People'
Kelvin Lake
In article <ZvrInFAK...@pigpen.demon.co.uk>, Oliver Clarke
<oli...@pigpen.demon.co.uk> writes
>On that score, of course, I'd love to see the mine workings at Worsley
>opened up for public consumption! :-)
I don't see why some sort of access shouldn't be available to to the
Worsley tunnels apart from:
1. They lead to coal workings so gas is likely to be a problem and you
would need permission from British Coal or who ever has taken over their
responsibilities.
2. You will need a dingy!
I have seen a interesting film (which was not all that old) of people
from the NCB boating into the tunnels to inspect the lining, I can't
remember what the film was called, but I think I saw it at a museum (ie
somewhere like Salford) but I am not certain. I don't know if anyone
else can shed some light on this.
Oliver Clarke
In article <V3n2rOA6...@lake22.demon.co.uk>, Kelvin Lake
<sc...@lake22.demon.co.uk> writes
>I don't see why some sort of access shouldn't be available to to the
>Worsley tunnels apart from:
>
>1. They lead to coal workings so gas is likely to be a problem and you
>would need permission from British Coal or who ever has taken over their
>responsibilities.
I concede that, but if the necessary ventilation could be arranged,
they'd probably make a fortune from tourists wanting boat trips inside.
They could make a bloody theme park out of it (Look at Wookey Hole etc).
>2. You will need a dingy!
Oh yes! Rambling Rose still bears the scars from an ancient attempt by
my mother to defy the laws of physics and get her through the Frogall
Tunnel on the Caldon, so I'll certainly be happy to hire a starvationer
for the day <grin>.
>I have seen a interesting film (which was not all that old) of people
>from the NCB boating into the tunnels to inspect the lining, I can't
>remember what the film was called, but I think I saw it at a museum (ie
>somewhere like Salford) but I am not certain. I don't know if anyone
>else can shed some light on this.
Not seen it. Maybe the Museum of Science & Industry in Manchester City
Centre...
Oliver Clarke
From: Oliver Clarke <oli...@pigpen.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Interesting Tunnels
Organization: CommUnity, The Computer Communicators Association
Martin Ludgate
In message <ZvrInFAK...@pigpen.demon.co.uk>, Oliver Clarke
<oli...@pigpen.demon.co.uk> writes
>On that score, of course, I'd love to see the mine workings at Worsley
>opened up for public consumption! :-)
>
the entrance tunnels (with a dam just inside) sometime in the 1960s?
(something to do with closure of local mines I think) Does anybody know if
this is true?
Martin Ludgate
Andrew Lawton
>Didn't I read somewhere that they were all completely flooded except for
>the entrance tunnels (with a dam just inside) sometime in the 1960s?
>(something to do with closure of local mines I think) Does anybody know if
>this is true?
>Martin Ludgate
>
It would be difficult to flood all the Worsley tunnels by damming the exit.
There were inclined planes between the different levels!
Regards, Andrew.
Elspeth Parry
In article <19970110174...@ladder01.news.aol.com>,
andy...@aol.com writes
--
Elspeth Parry
I can remember my father going through the Stanedge many many years ago. It was
I believe the last BWB inspection. I remember he had to walk back over the top
and was rather wet and dirty.
Andrew Lawton
From: and...@testudo.u-net.com (Andrew Lawton)
Subject: Re: Interesting Tunnels
Organization: InSite news/mail gateway
Martin Ludgate
From: edi...@navvies.demon.co.uk (Martin Ludgate)
Subject: Re: Interesting Tunnels
Organization: InSite news/mail gateway
In message <ZvrInFAK...@pigpen.demon.co.uk>, Oliver Clarke
<oli...@pigpen.demon.co.uk> writes
>On that score, of course, I'd love to see the mine workings at Worsley
>opened up for public consumption! :-)
>
Elspeth Parry
From: Elspeth Parry <Els...@parry-mold.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Interesting Tunnels
Organization: Parry
Mike Clarke
Hi all,
I've just put some more onto my pages. This time it's about the Compartment
Boat Hoist at Goole. It has been repainted recently, and I am chairman of a
group who will be setting up some interpretation panels and other
information alongside the Hoist. It's owned by Associated British Ports who
look after its repair, etc. and we are trying to encourage people to visit
the site so that they (ABP) will continue putting money into the Hoist. Its
funny how large businesses put money into the arts but are always loathed
to pay for restoring things to do with the history of their business! I
suppose it's to do with advertising, so the more people know about the
Hoist, the better. We hope, together with the Waterways Museum in Goole
(it's just down the road), to have an open day in May. I'll keep you
informed.
Regards,
Mike Clarke
Milepost Research
41 Fountain St, Accrington, UK, BB5 0QR
+44 (0)1254-395848
http://www.zen.co.uk/home/page/mike.clarke/home.htm
Use water transport - Economy without risk
Mike Clarke
From: mike....@zen.co.uk (Mike Clarke)
Subject: Re: Tom Puddings
Organization: InSite news/mail gateway
Tony Clayton
In message <VuEWfaAx...@navvies.demon.co.uk> Martin Ludgate wrote:
> In message <ZvrInFAK...@pigpen.demon.co.uk>, Oliver Clarke
> <oli...@pigpen.demon.co.uk> writes
> >On that score, of course, I'd love to see the mine workings at Worsley
> >opened up for public consumption! :-)
> >
> Didn't I read somewhere that they were all completely flooded except for
> the entrance tunnels (with a dam just inside) sometime in the 1960s?
> (something to do with closure of local mines I think) Does anybody know if
> this is true?
> Martin Ludgate
I had heard that they stopped pumping, with the inevitable result.
--
Tony Clayton
'Linton'
Godalming Wharf
Tony Clayton
Ian McCarthy
Brindly at Wet Earth - F.Muxlineu (terrible Spelling). This guy was the
curator at Eccles Museum, and is the One that made the film of the last
inspection trip into the Worsley Mines in 1968. The inspections ceased
as Worsley which is the main adit for the West Lancs coal field when it
was basically no longer required as mining stopped when Mossley Common
closed. There are rummored to be plans afoot to open up the Delph which
is where the two tunnels surface to the general public and run trips
up one tunnel and then back down the other. The two tunnels meet about
600yds in I believe. There is guess what - a lottery bid being put
together. The incline planes are a lot further into the system.
There is also another book which shows the complete underground canal
network which is exstensive over 40Mls, but I can't remember what thats
called, at the moment.
If you go to Wet Earth make sure to inspect the M&BB which has a branch
to the colliery, departing from the main line at the Clifton Aquaduct.
Mike Clarke
>Brindly at Wet Earth - F.Muxlineu (terrible Spelling). This guy was the
>curator at Eccles Museum, and is the One that made the film of the last
>inspection trip into the Worsley Mines in 1968. The inspections ceased
>as Worsley which is the main adit for the West Lancs coal field when it
>was basically no longer required as mining stopped when Mossley Common
>closed. There are rummored to be plans afoot to open up the Delph which
>is where the two tunnels surface to the general public and run trips
>up one tunnel and then back down the other. The two tunnels meet about
>600yds in I believe. There is guess what - a lottery bid being put
>together. The incline planes are a lot further into the system.
>There is also another book which shows the complete underground canal
>network which is exstensive over 40Mls, but I can't remember what thats
>called, at the moment.
For more information about the underground canals, look in:
The Mining Engineer, October 1963, pp 46-56, which has drawings of the
incline, map of the canals, photos and the text of a paper presented by
Messrs Trickett and Hassall. Frank Mullineux also wrote an article for the
Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Soc., pp152-160. I didn't note the volume
(who's a naughty boy!), but there's only a hundred or so to look through.
(It will be around 1960 for those who haven't the persistence to become a
researcher)
Regards
Martin Ludgate
In message <970123114...@ss38.wg.icl.co.uk>, Ian McCarthy
<i...@wg.icl.co.uk> writes
>There is also another book which shows the complete underground canal
>network which is exstensive over 40Mls, but I can't remember what thats
>called, at the moment.
There is a very detailed sheet map of all the waterways in the area around
Manchester which shows all the Worsley mine tunnels (and the Wet Earth
tunnels I think) but I can't remember who it's published by. It's one of a
series which also includes a map of the BCN showing all the disused bits.
--
Martin Ludgate
Alan Jervis
Ian McCarthy and Mike Clarke wrote of :
>> >Brindly at Wet Earth - F.Muxlineu (terrible Spelling)
i have a copy of 'Brindley at Wet Earth Colliery' by A.G. Banks and
R.B. Schofield, David & Charles 1968 which is highly recommendable,
as is a visit to W.E.C. - provided that you're not claustrophobic!
Best wishes,
AJ
--
--------------------------------------------------
a...@jervis.demon.co.uk <== please reply to
alan....@man.ac.uk
--------------------------------------------------
Tim Boddington
From: 10004...@compuserve.com (Tim Boddington)
Subject: Interesting Tunnels
Organization: InSite news/mail gateway
>On that score, of course, I'd love to see the mine workings at Worsley
>opened up for public consumption! :-)
You can visit the Wet Earth Colliery (WEC) which is just round the corner
(so to speak) from Worsley. This is located by Kearsley (M61 jnc 2,3
Bolton spur; M62 jnc 13 or 15(west bound)). If I recall correctly the
entrance is off the A666 Kearsley / Pendlebury road at Clifton House Farm.
OS map 109 Manchster at SJ772045.
WEC is an abandoned mine with an interesting history which used canal
transport (the Clifton Canal). The site has literally been dug up to find
the relics which are (being) restored. These include underground passages,
water supply channels as well as surface features. The sight can be
visited in normal hours but conducted tours (only way to see underground)
are via booking or at peak times (sorry, I don't have up to date details).
IWA North Lancs & Cumbria branch are organising a visit there on the
evening of Wednesday 30th April. Others with a canal interest are (I
understand) welcome to join them. Phone Derek Humphreys 01254-703553 for
details (mention that you heard about it from Manchester branch). Thea & I
are planning on going.
Tim Boddington.
Martin Ludgate
From: edi...@navvies.demon.co.uk (Martin Ludgate)
Subject: Re: Interesting Tunnels
Organization: InSite news/mail gateway
In message <970123114...@ss38.wg.icl.co.uk>, Ian McCarthy
Ian McCarthy
From: i...@wg.icl.co.uk (Ian McCarthy)
Subject: Re: Interesting Tunnels
Organization: InSite news/mail gateway
Brindly at Wet Earth - F.Muxlineu (terrible Spelling). This guy was the
curator at Eccles Museum, and is the One that made the film of the last
inspection trip into the Worsley Mines in 1968. The inspections ceased
as Worsley which is the main adit for the West Lancs coal field when it
was basically no longer required as mining stopped when Mossley Common
closed. There are rummored to be plans afoot to open up the Delph which
is where the two tunnels surface to the general public and run trips
up one tunnel and then back down the other. The two tunnels meet about
600yds in I believe. There is guess what - a lottery bid being put
together. The incline planes are a lot further into the system.
There is also another book which shows the complete underground canal
network which is exstensive over 40Mls, but I can't remember what thats
called, at the moment.
Alan Jervis
From: a...@jervis.demon.co.uk (Alan Jervis)
Subject: Re: Interesting Tunnels
Organization: InSite news/mail gateway
Ian McCarthy and Mike Clarke wrote of :
Dave Williams
In article <970123114...@ss38.wg.icl.co.uk>, Ian McCarthy
<i...@wg.icl.co.uk> writes
>There is also another book which shows the complete underground canal
>network which is exstensive over 40Mls, but I can't remember what thats
>called, at the moment.
Try:-
Collieries in the Manchester Coalfields by Geoffrey Hayes published by
De Archaeologische Pers of the Netherlands.
The Canal Duke's Collieries - Worsley 1760-1900 by Glen Atkinson
published by Neil Richardson, 375, Chorley Road, Swinton, Manchester.
Hayes was published about 10 years ago and I would guess the Atkinson to
be about 15 years old.
Try the Salford Mining Museum.
--
Dave Williams - Da...@tidza.demon.co.uk
Visit the Mining History Network at
http://info.exeter.ac.uk/~RBurt/MinHistNet
for information on PDMHS Ltd., the active Mining History Society.
Tim Boddington
<< Try the Salford Mining Museum.
Lancashire Mining Museum
Buile Hill Park
Eccles Old Road
Salford
M6 8GL
0161-736-1832