The entrance
to Middlecleugh Mine collapsed in the late eighties, and recently (Summer 2006
- Winter 2007) has been reopened by the efforts of CATMHS. Their team dug out
the collapse and re-arched the beginning of the entrance passage, they even
went as far as putting in rail tracks, which also helped with the removal of
debris from the collapse.
From what information can be gathered,
Middlecleugh Level was driven primarily for ventilation. There are some small
workings above the level and multiple sumps presumably leading to workings
above Smallcleugh Mine. Much of the levels development seems to have been
carried out by the London Lead Company which took out leases in 1758. When the
Vieille Montagne Zinc Company took over from the LLC part of an hydraulic
system was installed into the level. Evidence of this is present in the large
diameter water pipe along the main drive in. The pipe continues up to the
junction with Longcleugh Vein and then appears to make its way down to the
Smallcleugh Level past the Ballroom. The pipe then continues towards Elliott's
String and the Hydraulic Shaft, however no signs of any sort of compressor
machinery have been found.
The mine was driven through shale and as a
result many of the branch passages are collapsed. The main drive in is open all
the way and gives access to a number of veins including part of the east side
of Longcleugh Vein, east side of Middlecleugh North Vein, and the Smallcleugh
Cross Vein. It is also possible to reach some parts of the mine via Smallcleugh
and surface shafts which are not accessible via the adit.
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Surface
Features
Views of the landscape and building remains around the
level.
Updated 13/10/07. |
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First
Exploration
At long last, our first visit to the recently re-opened
Middlecleugh Level.
(Alistair, Karl, Karli, Mike and Pete), 20th May
2007. |
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Sump
Dropping
Can a link be found to Smallcleugh?
(Karli, Mike
and Pete), 21th July 2007. |
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Middlecleugh
Second Sun Vein
Looking at the newly opened section of MCSSV and the
sump that connects with Mitchells Flat in Smallcleugh Mine.
(Karli and
Mike), 2nd March 2014. |
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Middlecleugh North Vein
Having a look at the big engine shaft on the
Middlecleugh North Vein.
(Karli, Mike and Pete), 18th May
2019. |
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