Nenthead Mines Page 1

To the Settle- Carlisle Page To Nenthead Mines Page 2	To the Industrial Archaeology Index Page
Industrial Archaeology Nenthead Mines - 1
The Nenthead Mines are the largest accessible group of mines in the U.K. Many miles of passages and working are accessible although exploration should only be attempted in conjunction with experienced groups - It is quite easy to get lot in some places or fall down deep shafts! This article describes a trip down Smallcleugh Level which is about half a mile from the Village of nenthead, near Alston in the Northern Pennines
	The entrance portal to the Smallcleugh level. This insignificant entrance is one of the access points into several miles of underground workings. The mines were worked for lead in the 19th century and closed when the lead price fell due to the opening up oc cheaper sources overseal. the mines re-opened briefly in the 1930's for the extraction of Zinc Ore and were worked by the Belgian Vielle Montagne Company.
Preparing for an underground trip. proper miners cap lamps, dry suits, lamp spares and food are essential requirements for a trip underground. Even more essential is the company of somebody who is familiar with the workings. the mineral veins were worked over a huge lateral and vertical range. It is possible to enter the Smallcleugh level and to emerge from another level on the other side of the valley several miles away.
	At first the level is cut in solid rock. the mine rails have been removed at this point but further in they are in place. Trucks holding several hundredweights of ore were pulled along by horses.
At intervals along the level are vertical shafts which lead down into lower workings. This shaft at the side of the level appears to have once been boarded over and covered with rocks and clay but the effects of age and damp have caused the covering to collapse.
	An old mine truck abandoned to the ravages of time and the processes of decay. On the back wall of the passage a thin coal seam can be clearly seen. The level is driven through sandstone, limestone and shale and, owing to the inclination required for drainage, it passes through successive horizons of strata.
Another view of the level driven through shales with the coal seal exposed. here the roof is the base of the higher bed of limestone and this is why extra roof support has not been needed.
	As the level was driven, the miners would often find pockets of ore in the floor and roof and these would be worked out and the resultant cavity timbered over and then covered with rocks and clay. When the false floor rots away, collapses like this one happen.
At intervals, ore hoppers are found. these lead vertically upwards to the higher workings and ore is throuwn down these shatfts to be collected by waiting trucks. A board would be fitted across the mouth of the ore hopper to hold back the accumulated ore until the truck was ready for loading.
To the Settle - Carlisle Page To Nenthead Mines Page 2	To the Industrial Archaeology Index Page