It takes a lot of iron – is certainly true – to space the liner from the shaft. Another lovely industrial image, almost art!
Image courtesy of Alan Franks.
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Traditional skills, traditional tools, traditional methods. Men setting the shutter ready for concreting. They are measuring from a plumb line (there were 4; 1 at each point of the compass). Acrow Jacks were used to push the shutter into position. Image and words courtesy of Alan Franks.
Bet you thought it was all machine work; part of the record-breaking team of shaftmen at work. Showing concrete being poured through a metal pipe from the surface (visible to the right of the 1st man). These were called ’Elephant’s Trunks’ as they were short lengths linked together to make them flexible and they looked like an elephant’s trunk. The concrete was vibrated using a compressed air vibrating poker, to make sure the concrete was mixed properly to stop it honey combing, the man on the left is doing this.
An almost artistic industrial image of one of the shafts and a drilling machine.
Double-headed by an Ivatt 3MT 2-6-2T number 41265 (a Whitby and Moors Excursion) rounds the reverse curve at Fen Bog, a few miles south of Goathland; the long train from the West Riding requiring assistance up the gradients out of Levisham. The second locomotive is probably a B1. This location is also close to Fylingdales Moor, sitting roughly below the radar station. Information adapted from comments courtesy of Mark.
Another local commuter train underway, headed by a BR Standard tank, skirting the cliff edge at Kettleness. The unusual configuration of the first coach can be clearly seen in this image. A beautiful picturesque route, this would make a lovely leisure route today (after re-alignment to avoid the continuously advancing cliff edge!). Russ Pig0tt comments about the first carriage: “There’s nothing unusual about the first coach it is a Brake third, basically a second class coach (when built bizarrely there were only first and third class; second had been phased out) with guard’s accommodation and luggage space. Parcels and mail were still conveyed by trains such as this and continued on local services until the late 1980s.” Image courtesy Maurice Grayson and thanks to Russell Pigott for the clarification of the Editor’s query.
Whitby West Cliff Station – very quiet – only two carriages on the train. An ex-LMS Fairburn 4MT 2-6-4T, not obviously in steam from this photograph, but crewed up ready for the next leg of the trip. Alan Featonby tells us: ”I think you will find this train is a Whitby Town to Whitby West Cliff shuttle. The train will pull forward to take water prior to the engine running round and going back to Town. The Middlesbrough to Scarborough train or Scarborough to Middlesbrough train; will arrive and depart on the left hand track as it is straight through running. It and the return working did not go into Whitby Town, thus saving time and another reversal. The engine is Whitby allocated 42085. The summer timetable is in effect, likely 1957.” Thanks to Mark Thompson for the information about the guards van and locomotive; and thanks to Alan Featonby for clarifying the situation.
Eric Johnson featured (at work) in front of the Wash Heater Charger, which forms part of the 36 inch Mill at Skinningrove works. Eric drove; 30 years after driving the chargers on the Talbots. Full circle. Paul Dodsworth told us: “I also drove the mill charger for quite a spell taking over from Bill Noble of Liverton Mines. I used to follow on the shift pattern from Jerry Jarvis also from Liverton Mines.” Image courtesy of Eric Johnson and many thanks to Paul Dodsworth for the update.
The names (where known) of the shaft-sinking crews from Boulby Potash Mine who broke the European Shaft-sinking record with 400 feet in 30 days on the 4th February 1971 on the Rock Shaft. (This record was beaten again during the sinking of the Main Shaft). Image courtesy of Alan Franks.
This is an image from an archive we were given access to. It shows the shaft-sinking crews from Boulby Potash Mine who broke the European Shaft-sinking record with 400 feet in 30 days on the 4th February 1971 on the Rock Shaft. (This record was beaten again during the sinking of the Main Shaft). The names of the men (where known) are on a separate post. Phillip Smith tells us: ”My granddad James Stanley Smith worked as a steel fixer whilst the shaft was being sunk.” Steve Peirson also tells us: ”Hi! Yes you are correct I was at Boulby also at Whitemoor from 3rd March 1980 to 23rd August 1985; from start to finish. I was on no. 1 shaft and finished off no 2 shaft, they were tough days; my works number was 10. I worked with Mick Lanigan, Dennis Shepard, Eddie Catron, Mick Libby, Barry Johnson, Les and Neville Wheatley, George Cox, Jacker Porriit and the late Terry Lofthouse; Liam and Charlie Johnson and worked with many, many more good lads!” M. Cundy tells us: ”I also can remember all names listed at Whitemoor, especially Dennis Shepard the winder driver. I too started in February 1980 till the end of sinking. There were many problems least of all when water chased the working platform back up the shaft quicker than winder could winch it on No 2 Shaft. Working in Foraky frozen shaft early on was a trauma for the sinkers too I recall.” We also have a request from Gary Hayes: ”Hi all, I am looking for some information on my father (Wilf Hayes), I can remember going with him on numerous occasion (I think in the late sixties) to the Cleveland Potash Mine; he worked for a German firm called Deutag. He was from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire and so was several other crew members. If any one could give dates when this was and any other information on him and crew members would appreciate it? Many thanks.” Steve Peirson further tells us: ” Deutag did the drilling around the rock shaft in 1970 for Foraky, to freeze the ground while the shaft was being sunk. I remember it I was only twenty at the time and work for the mine construction consortium.” Image courtesy of Alan Franks and thanks to Phillip Smith, Steve Peirson, M. Cundy, Joan Webster, Gary Hayes and Alan for the updates and memories. |
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