South Crofty Mine Roskear Shaft Surface: These images were taken in 1997 when I was lucky enough to have a tour of the facility. The shaft was renovated during the 1990’s in order to replace the secondary egress at Robinson’s Shaft.
Robinson’s Shaft was finally decommissioned during 1996, the changeover was completed on the 17th June that year.
South Crofty Mine Roskear Shaft Surface.1 – The newly erected headframe which stood over the shaft at a height of 14m. The building on the right was the fan house.
When the Dolcoath and Roskear lodes began to be exploited Roskear became a major (updraught) ventilation shaft with large fans at the collar. But many local people will remember the plume of warm moist air that rose above the shaft in Winter. This was visible for miles.
South Crofty Mine Roskear Shaft Surface.2 – This is the electrical switch gear for the fan room.South Crofty Mine Roskear Shaft Surface.3 – The housing for the huge fans which helped to ventilate South Crofty Mine.
Thanks go to Keith Russ for the information on Mine Ventilation.
During the last working years of the mine, Roskear Shaft was upcast as was Taylors, only Cooks and Robinsons Shafts were downcast. The Ventilation Department had several tasks.
The velocity and quantity of air were measured at fixed points throughout the mine. A vane anemometer was used to measure the flow, the temperature both dry and wet bulb were also measured too. Again the radon was measured at fixed locations at regular intervals maybe once a month.
It was usual for the ventilation dept, to measure both airflow and radon at the same time. Much effort was spent in tracing the flow of air round the mine, especially in connection with old workings which were a source of radon, and leakage of air.
South Crofty Mine Roskear Shaft Surface.4 – Another of the fans from the other side.
The next images were taken in the winder house. This held two winders, the primary Mary Anne Winder was purchased secondhand from Wheal Jane Mine. It was built by M B Wild during the early 1980’s. The second winder was used to hoist materials in the shaft.
South Crofty Mine Roskear Shaft Surface.5 – The drivers cabin for the Mary Anne Winder. The shaft signalling sheet is on the wall in the background..South Crofty Mine Roskear Shaft Surface.6 – Another wider image of the cabin. The winder and the depth indicator can be seen through the window. The winder was an electric, hydraulic single drum arrangement. South Crofty Mine Roskear Shaft Surface.7 – This is the Mary Anne Winder and associated power supply. South Crofty Mine Roskear Shaft Surface.8 – A closer view of the winder, the depth indicator is this side of the drum. The drum has a diameter of 1.2m holding 18mm winding rope. The maximum winding speed is 1.5m per second.South Crofty Mine Roskear Shaft Surface.9 – The Mary Anne winder from the front, on the left is the drivers cabin.South Crofty Mine Roskear Shaft Surface.10 – And the same again from further back. This image now shows the depth gauge for the second small electric winder on the site.South Crofty Mine Roskear Shaft Surface..11 – A side view of the second winder, this was used for material transportation in the shaft.Cornish Mine Images 12 – The second winder from the other side, also the electric motor and the braking arrangement can be clearly seen.Cornish Mine Images 13 – Looking across the drum of the second winder from the drivers position, the Mary Anne winder is directly in front.Cornish Mine Images 14 – A close up of the second winder showing the drive mechanism and the breaking arms.
The remaining images on this page were taken at the top of the shaft. Miners were preparing to go underground to conduct an inspection of the adits.
Cornish Mine Images 15 – A group of South Crofty miners about to be dropped down Roskear Shaft. This was used primarily for access to the mines adit system.Cornish Mine Images 16 – I never had the chance to drop this shaft, but I would have loved too.Cornish Mine Images 17 – The shaft lander watching as the miners prepare to go down.However the cage could only move once the gate had been securely shut and locked.
Present day 2016, there is very little left now of the Roskear Shaft Surface facility. Sadly the winders and headframe have all been removed. The winder house has gone, all that remains are the concrete foundations also the closed shaft.
The area is extremely dangerous and should not be entered.
