United Cavers Exploration Team

Location
SJ 2?? 6?? (I’ve forgotton)

Directions
I have forgotten but it is near Rhydymwyn / River Alyn

Access
Permission is required from the quarry

Suggested Equipment
6â€"8 Electrons or full SRT and 3 long ropes (but SRT will be cumbersome)

Length
Unknown

Flood risk
None known

Mine Attributes
Presumed Lead as some remains in situ.

Description
Named “Soot shaft” because the entry shaft served as a chimney for the last engine which was housed in the mine. You will get covered in soot and it is difficult/impossible to remove from clothing and you should consider using some throwaway overalls.

The route down is difficult and requires the descent of three pitches (one with loose rocks).

Two electrons are required for the entry pitch but the 2nd and 3rd are just a tad to deep for two combined electrons and if you take only 6 you will need to use your ingenuity in re-using the bottom electron (3rd) on the 2nd and 3rd pitches.

The short passages connecting the pitches are also squeezy.

Once down, you are in the main adit and can see where the old engine used to be. There is an additional shaft down which has not been explored by us.

The main adit runs off for, perhaps, 400 metres with areas that are climbable along the way.

Typical of a lead mine.

Unexplored Passages
At least one level below requiring additional equipment to access. Some climbs along the main adit and possibly other passages missed along the way.

Digs
None Known

Links
None Known

(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi80.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff80%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3710.jpg&hash=4b03f3d56800c94df7208972cf31601401b8dc58) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=446&u=13401959)

The entry shaft


(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi80.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff80%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3810.jpg&hash=92f19d7857aaa832c0cbf97d2f45d17fe5a0e98d) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=447&u=13401959)

The top of the 2nd pitch/shaft

(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi80.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff80%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3811.jpg&hash=6d961aba5292262bd567110d09cae62d7acb65ce) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=448&u=13401959)

At the bottom of the 2nd and the top of the 3rd shaft/pitch


(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi80.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff80%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3812.jpg&hash=fc3e1252767e8d353277dd872caedd1945caafaf) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=449&u=13401959)

The main adit at the bottom of the 3rd shaft/pitch


(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi80.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff80%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3813.jpg&hash=15ba9bbbf98a32002eb98770ca376e24af6e59dd) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=450&u=13401959)

In the adit


(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi80.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff80%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3814.jpg&hash=bbaf9997e7d434980972bbfce381aaf25e17176a) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=451&u=13401959)


(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi80.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff80%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3815.jpg&hash=e5457628e05ac292e618adeb97ff25cfe2fed184) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=452&u=13401959)


(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi80.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff80%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3816.jpg&hash=c6e43c5f5ecf5d35ef95904c61a3c5b3baa670e8) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=453&u=13401959)


(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi80.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff80%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3817.jpg&hash=3307931d4d09201cf843470880c5c5581db66613) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=454&u=13401959)


(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi80.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff80%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3818.jpg&hash=2e9b6598bd423927b0a3ef91b2aad4a8b3dd579d) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=455&u=13401959)


(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi80.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff80%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3819.jpg&hash=e9e74cdf19995df217025094fd595544b15bfe66) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=456&u=13401959)


(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi80.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff80%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3820.jpg&hash=b077638e51351096638c3bffaa27327fceb35b11) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=457&u=13401959)

The remains of a mined vein

Had another trip in here with Me, Mike and Murf a few weeks ago.

Went down to the main engine area and took some photos. Went down the internal shaft but there has been new collapses. The old adit from the top of the internal shaft is collapsed after only a few meters towards the quarry.

Few pics..... from the engine/top of internal shaft.

more...

and some with some notes added.......

and a very rough sketch of the area around the location of the old engine.

My theory being that the earth bank with remains of old Launder (wooden pipe) formed a dam/water resevoir for a steam engine. This idea is backed up by the water arks on the walls in this section. Coal/wood (judging by the soot most likely low grade coal) was probably brought in via the adit level which has now been collapsed due to quarry activities. The boiler/fire for this engine expelled its exhaust via the 'chimney' up in the roof )the wooden platform in the picture with the hole in it which goes up via a very tight man-way thick with soot into the upper levels and eventually away to surface (the 90% of the route we come in via today).

The engine was used to haul up the internal shaft.

evidence of the location of timbers over this shaft can be seen cut into the rock.

No idea what the handled carrying device if for.