Shafts

Shafts

There are many ways in which shafts could be classified, based on information such as the size of the shaft, its depth or perhaps its function i.e. ventilation, pumping, raising ore, climbing-way etc. To discuss these options fully would be beyond the scope of this site so the broad categories of shallow shafts and deep shafts are used, but it should be remembered that some shafts will fall outside this simple classification.

Shallow Shafts - Many writers have described shallow shafts on lead mines as "Bell Pits". This is the wrong term to use, however, because "Bell Pits" were primitive shafts sunk onto horizontal seams of coal or ironstone where a classic "bell" shape excavation resulted.

Lead is randomly distributed throughout vertical or near vertical veins and so workings will consequently be of a more irregular form following the pockets of ore. Shafts sunk onto veins run in straight lines, whereas coal pits are usually randomly scattered. Shallow shafts are often less than 10 metres apart.

Want to know more about Bell Pits?

Line of shallow shafts Yarnbury, nr. Grassington, Whafedale.

Those which are from 20 to 30 metres apart could be considered as being in a transitional phase between the shallow and deep shafts. This is, however, a very general principle and may not fit every location.

A Jack Roll used on shallow shafts.

Line of shafts, Grassington High Moor, Wharfedale.

Deep Shafts - These usually have large tips, which may be flat topped and display the circle of a horse gin (a horse powered hauling device) or a substantial building, which may have housed a steam engine.

Deep shafts are often called whim or engine shafts on maps and plans, and they are not usually close together and they often worked more than one vein.

Horse Gin

Horse gin circle, Glory Mine, Grassington. The shaft is in the foreground.

Shaft, Chatsworth Mine, Grassington Moor, Wharfedale

Engine Shaft and engine house, Cononley Mine, Airedale.

Bolton Gill Engine Shaft, Hebden Moor Mines, Wharfedale.