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Hi All
Day 4 of the 600 mile boys adventure in Wales, this was the last site before we headed home.
Fluffy had been big-in this place up all week, but when we got in and found the water wheel, one of only 2 left in a mine in the UK, I just stood in silence for 15 minutes in total amazement.
A bit of history taken from Subbrit:-
Ystrad Einon Copper mine worked a NE-SW lode which is unusual in mid-Wales and is largely restricted to the Dovey estuary. Development of the mine below adit level did not start until the late 19th century with the sinking of a winze to the 72 feet level in 1871. A 16' diameter underground waterwheel was installed for pumping and lifting; this allowed the mine to be deepened by another 72 feet.
The mine continued to expand with a new engine shaft down to 180 feet and on the surface a 1.5 mile leat was constructed to bring water to a new 22.5 foot diameter waterwheel for pumping and winding and a smaller wheel for driving a stone breaker and crushing rolls. A third waterwheel drove two 20' diameter buddles and a six compartment jigger.
Although the new plant was ready for use in 1877 full production didn't start till 1891 once the ore reserves had been established. The reserves were, however, to prove disappointing and by 1897 only 9 tons of lead ore, 10 tons of blende (zinc) and 45 tons of copper ore had been mined.
Pictures:-
The main flooded entrance adit.
After the water/flooding finishes you enter the pump chamber - and this amazing sight.
The water wheel.
At the far end of this cavern is the flooded pump shaft, oh it also has a false floor over it. (GULP!!!!!)
After this I took a wander along one of the other side passages, until I reached another flooded pit and a false floor - (My bottle went at this point)
There are mineral deposits all along the tunnels.
Well there you go, the end of 4 fantastic days in Wales, great company, great food, great beer and sights I`ll never forget.
Thanks for looking all comments are most welcome.
There are more pictures on my FlickR site at:-
https://www.flickr.com/photos/newage2/albums/72157669592974023/with/28487371503/
Cheers Newage & Fluffy
Day 4 of the 600 mile boys adventure in Wales, this was the last site before we headed home.
Fluffy had been big-in this place up all week, but when we got in and found the water wheel, one of only 2 left in a mine in the UK, I just stood in silence for 15 minutes in total amazement.
A bit of history taken from Subbrit:-
Ystrad Einon Copper mine worked a NE-SW lode which is unusual in mid-Wales and is largely restricted to the Dovey estuary. Development of the mine below adit level did not start until the late 19th century with the sinking of a winze to the 72 feet level in 1871. A 16' diameter underground waterwheel was installed for pumping and lifting; this allowed the mine to be deepened by another 72 feet.
The mine continued to expand with a new engine shaft down to 180 feet and on the surface a 1.5 mile leat was constructed to bring water to a new 22.5 foot diameter waterwheel for pumping and winding and a smaller wheel for driving a stone breaker and crushing rolls. A third waterwheel drove two 20' diameter buddles and a six compartment jigger.
Although the new plant was ready for use in 1877 full production didn't start till 1891 once the ore reserves had been established. The reserves were, however, to prove disappointing and by 1897 only 9 tons of lead ore, 10 tons of blende (zinc) and 45 tons of copper ore had been mined.
Pictures:-
The main flooded entrance adit.
After the water/flooding finishes you enter the pump chamber - and this amazing sight.
The water wheel.
At the far end of this cavern is the flooded pump shaft, oh it also has a false floor over it. (GULP!!!!!)
After this I took a wander along one of the other side passages, until I reached another flooded pit and a false floor - (My bottle went at this point)
There are mineral deposits all along the tunnels.
Well there you go, the end of 4 fantastic days in Wales, great company, great food, great beer and sights I`ll never forget.
Thanks for looking all comments are most welcome.
There are more pictures on my FlickR site at:-
https://www.flickr.com/photos/newage2/albums/72157669592974023/with/28487371503/
Cheers Newage & Fluffy
