We have been meaning to look at more of the sumps on the
Smallcleugh Cross Vein for some time now, to see which ones are open and
connect to the sublevel which runs under the cross vein. With not too much time
on our hands, a short trip like this was perfect to try and tie up a few loose
ends.
The first sump on the cross vein, the Whimsey Shaft we know
about, so our first target was Mitchell's Sump, the second one. Armed with alli
scaffold poles we rigged this one up and Karli descended, 10m to the bottom and
blocked. The third one was Spottiswood's Sump, again a quick rig up and I
descended, 16m to the bottom and blocked, however there well could have been
some arch stone work at the bottom - or it may have been wishful thinking? The
fourth sump is Proud's - we all know about this one.
The fifth sump we
came to was Barron's, but this was too difficult to access, as it was up a clay
mound with a wide entrance. The sixth was the first one on the right,
Blaylock's Sump, there was no need to go down this one as the shallow choke
could easily be seen. After this sump we lost the plot as we could not follow
the details on our copy of the PDMHS plan as sumps could be seen on the wrong
side of the plan and not in the relative right place. The next sump was the one
by the ore truck. We could not get a good look down it and we did not rig it up
as more equipment would have been needed - also the large rocks ready to fall
did not instill too much faith. A lot of gardening work would be needed, the
big rocks would also probably block it up completely if it was open. We think
this was Whitfield's Sump.
The next sump we came to was Longcleugh Shaft
or the High Water Blast Shaft, this looked like a shaft going up to the surface
as well as possibly down as there was a lot of material which had come in from
the top. The next sump was came to, was Robson's. This was up a little mound
with rail tracks over it. We rigged it and Karli when down to the floor level,
only a handful of metres below. There was a passage that went off, but the
walls looked as if they where ready to drop off - no way was he going in there.
Not sure if we are right but, the depth was sort of right for the flats and
sublevels of Old Fan flats, maybe this was a connection to them as it was sort
of the middle of the flats extremes.
The last sump we had a look at was
the Drawing one. This was deep and we did no have enough rope to get to the
bottom. Karli managed to get around 10m from the bottom and we measured it at
27m. The walls of the sump were in a poor state and large bell chambers had
formed were the shale had come away. At 27m this was deeper that all the rest
and we wondered if it intersected Carr's Level or flats above Hangingshaw?
However with all the missing material from the walls would it be
open?
After the last sump we had a quick bite to eat and then left our
gear for a quick ratch up to Luke Hall's Sump and a bit further on. Past LH's
we had a good look at the state of the passage - we sometimes go this way into
the deeper ends of the mine and it is always done very quickly with no
consideration, however this time we had a good look at the state of the walls
and ceiling - not pleasant - most of it looks ready to come down. Our advice -
go via Wheel Flats and put up with George Hetherington's.
As always
another little trip is needed to finish off what we wanted to accomplish. It
would be good to attempt the ones we could not do, but at last we will never
wonder if those first sumps are open. |
