Force Crag Mine, Braithwaite, Cumbria
Above & Below Ground
31 July 2010
the_undertaker & superkev
An early morning start for the short trip over to Braithwaite near Keswick to have a mooch around Force Crag mixed mineral mine. We didn’t get round all of the underground stuff - of which there is a lot to see over a few levels, but will certainly be back soon to do the rest when we’re not so bound by time.
Located in an impressive glacial valley at the end of a two mile long track, lead, zinc and barytes have been mined at this site for over 130 years. The mill building was constructed in 1908/9 and modified in 1940. The National Trust acquired the mine and mineral rights in 1979, the mine ceased working in 1991 and was declared abandoned in 1992.
On approach to the site, the mill building to the lower right:
Dressing mill externals:
Drainage shoot from no.1 adit:
Grizzly crushing hopper & conveyor to dressing mill:
Going underground on no.3 level:
Area of collapsed water cover:
Sleepers stacked up…
…and in situ:
Water draining down to no.2 level:
Remains of track under an area of collapse:
The perfect mirror – still water on no.2 level with the access to the incline on the right:
Up the incline:
The top of the incline leading to the next level – one for next time perhaps:
No time to go further on this visit but we know there is a lot more to see, especially the machinery etc left behind. Part two to follow!
Thanks for looking.