The slate caverns
02.09.2011 - 02.09.2011
On Friday we visited the slate caverns at Blaenau Festeniog. These were extensively mined in Victorian times, although open-cast mining continues in the present day.
As you can see, the surroundings are not pretty, and our hosts had warned us off, but Rebecca really wanted to see something reminiscent of the work her ancestors carried out, albeit in coal mines.
Slate was mined by teams of four equal partners, each team working their own chamber. On the tours we took, photography was a bit hit and miss due to the darkness, but this photo gives some indication of how the chambers were made.
Layers of slate alternate with layers of chert (sp?) and the layers are inclined. Chambers were formed by delving out a 36 foot wide hole following the slate. Between chambers a 30 foot wide portion was left, to hold up the roof. The interesting thing was that deeper and deeper series of chambers were dug, and it was critical that the pillars were lined up so that there was support all the way up.
The photo above shows a chamber four layers deep. As part of the tour we climbed down the stairs to continue the tour one layer lower down. There were 8 layers still below us. Chambers were connected by very low tunnels, even Rebecca bashed her helmet protected head against the roof on one occasion!
One fascinating aspect of the miners' life was the "caban", a stone-walled structure in which miners from different chambers gathered for the one meal break of the day. The miners had semi-formal discussion forums in the break, which were minuted by the chairman. This formed a significant part of the culture of the mining society.
Unfortunately, it would seem that most aspects of the miner's life were less positive. Silicosis claimed many lives of miners in their 40's, and accidents were all too common. This photo shows how volunteer workers would climb long ladders in the evenings, after the miners had finished, to clear loose rocks for the chamber ceilings. The top of this chamber has been opened by the opencast mining that continues. This is removing slate from the pillars left in the original mine.
By the way, that's not a real person up that ladder, just a dummy!
All in all, a very worthwhile and interesting place to visit. And I haven't even mentioned the famous blind harpist, Dafydd Fisher, who was born in a house on the site!
Posted by Kiwisonmove 03.09.2011 14:13 Archived in Wales
Gr8 to see you figured out how to upload photos! we will expect at least three per day now! LOL! Warm weather here, blossom and daffodils are opening up. Hope autumn is being kind to you.
We enjoyed having Nerys a night, she had leek in her Moroccan Chicken & rice last night! Bought some daffodils for the house so she would feel at home!
Enjoy Wales and safe travel
Shirley, Chris et al
04.09.2011 by TheDorsey5