South Crofty Mine Inside 2016, whilst we were onsite Tracy and I had the surprise invitation to have a look around some the remaining buildings. My thanks go to Paul for giving up his valuable time to show us around, it was like walking into a time capsule.
This page contains the images I took on that day, it maybe added to as I print more. The time spent there was both interesting and sad. Because the last time I had entered these buildings was when the mine was open.
But now they are all quiet and dark and full of memories.
South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.1 – The Blacksmith’s Shop had hardly changed since I had last seen it, everything was still as it had been left. Also much of the floor space had however been used for storage.South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.2 – One of the forge’s had obviously been used as a birds nest at some time. So sad to think this will never breathe fire again.South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.3 – All the equipment was still where it had last been used. The walls were covered with old safety and warning signs.South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.4 – Piles of drill steels, still waiting to be sharpened after many years. This was one of the important jobs the Blacksmith would do for the mine.South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.5 – Metal clamps and hooks still hanging on the wall.South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.6 – I am not entirely sure of the use of these items. It has been suggested that these maybe ladder components for use underground.South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.7 – A layer of rust covered all the metalwork hanging up. South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.8 – This is part of the cylinder cover from the Cook’s Shaft pumping engine. Amazingly found in a pile of rubble during site clearance.South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.9 – It was quite spooky in the dark forge. It just felt that time had stopped and passed the building by.South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.10 – An electric powered hacksaw, it was quite a beast. The container around it would be full of lubricant when it was running.Cornish Mine Images 2016.11 – And an image from the side, in the background is one of the light charging racks that the mine used when it was open. Cornish Mine Images 2016.12 – The blacksmith’s rest room, I don’t think anyone had been in here for years. Old paperwork and manuals are scattered across the small table.Cornish Mine Images Inside 2016.13 – Still there after so many years, a pneumatic hammer made by Alldays and Onions of Birmingham. It probably dates back to he 1930’s. I have been told it was a joy to use.Cornish Mine Images Inside 2016.14 – A front view of the pneumatic hammer.Cornish Mine Images 2016.15 – Finally an “arty” image from the Blacksmith’s Shop for this section of the page. This dark and smashed window caught my eye as I left the building.
This next part of this page was taken in the North Winder House. The original shed was sold sometime ago, subsequently a smaller shed was erected for storage and to protect the winder from the weather.
Cornish Mine Images 2016.16 – This is the driver’s cabin for the North Winder.Cornish Mine Images 2016.17 – This is one of the huge electric motors that powered this wonderful machine.Cornish Mine Images 2016.18 – These drums had a diameter of 3.81m, they weigh 26 Tons each and would rotate at 38.3 R.P.M.Cornish Mine Images 2016.19 – Another closer image of the internals of the drum.Cornish Mine Images 2016.20 – A detailed image showing the braking arms on each of the drums.Cornish Mine Images 2016.21 – This is the winder from the other side. The 35mm wire rope can be clearly seen wound on the drum.Cornish Mine Images 2016.22 – The years had taken their toll on the winder. It would be nice to think she will be up and running again someday.Cornish Mine Images 2016.23 – This great drum pulled skips from the mine that could carry between 6-8 tons. The winder would bring them to grass at 25ft per second.
The final images on this South Crofty page were taken in one of the boarded up sheds. What a surprise to go in and see one of the compressors used to power the rock drills in the mine.
Cornish Mine Images 2016.24 – This Ingersol Rand “Centac” is a centrifugal compressor producing 5,500 cubic feet per minute capacity. It was supported by three smaller machines. The air was fed down the shaft in pipes to be distributed to the working miners underground.Cornish Mine Images 2016.25 – On the left of this final image is one of the large “Tamrock” remote drilling rigs used in the mine. I believe it was used widely but had the habit of breaking down frequently. Also, one of them is still down the mine in a flooded drive.
