Middlecleugh Mine / Middlecleugh Upper Level,
Nenthead, Cumbria. OS Ref: NY789425
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
accessable 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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