Monument record MDR14022 - Old Millclose Lead Mine-Limbreck (Shale) Shaft, Off the B5057, Wensley
Type and Period (1)
- MINE SHAFT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
This shaft gives access to lower parts of particularly extensive and important pipe and vein workings. The hillocks in the vicinity have been disturbed. (1)
Old Millclose mine was owned by the London Lead CO. from 1720 until 1764 when the workings were flooded and remained so until Edward Miller Wass decided to re-open the mine in 1859 believing there was still ore to be found. As the mine grew it brought further flooding problems and in 1874 and it was forced to close for two years. Wass had prepared for this and opened a new shaft, Warren Carr, 300 ft. deep, which had been sunk in readiness. This shaft became the main focus of activity and remained in use until around 1889. By 1918 the mine had suffered from disputes, strikes and lockouts for two years. In February 1919 the mine was put up for sale. Bradford Vale Mining Co. brought Millclose shaft in late 1919, forming Millclose Mines Ltd. Modern drilling methods were introduced along with dynamite, however, by the end of 1929, the mine was not a success and made a lost that year. Further shafts were sunk in 1925 in anticipation for yet more flooding although in 1936 engineers and miners were laid off as the mines flooded past a level of control. The mine was eventually closed in 1940 after salvage operations. The smelter remained in use until 1941 when the plant was sold to H. J. Enthoven & Sons, who still exist today. (2)
Sources/Archives (2)
- <1> SDR19821 Bibliographic reference: Barnatt, J. 2004. An Inventory of Regionally & Nationally Important Lead Mining Sites in the Peak District. Vol. 2: Corpus of Sites. p 200, site no. U24.
- <2> SDR22708 Article in serial: North East Derbyshire Industrial Archaeology Society (NEDIAS). 2005. North East Derbyshire Industrial Archaeological Society Newsletter, No. 19, August 2005.
Map
Location
Grid reference | Centred SK 2577 6141 (48m by 46m) |
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Civil Parish | SOUTH DARLEY, DERBYSHIRE DALES, DERBYSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
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Record last edited
Jan 20 2015 12:11PM