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The Oak Plug
The Legendary oak plug was rumoured to exist, as historic records show certain mine workers being paid for "The making of dams at Levers Water" ( This was long before the actual dam was constructed). The rumours persisted down the years until it was re-discovered by members of CATMHS during their explorations early in 1987. Word leaked out about the discovery, and the water board became very alarmed at the prospect of the plug being breached, and the whole of levers water coming down thru the mines & flooding Coniston village. ( The water Co. owns a treatment plant in the vicinity which takes its water from the levers water). Members of CATMHS escorted officials from the water co. to inspect the plug, whereupon it was decided to take no further action at that time. Very soon after its discovery, an alarming incident occurred. A home made bomb constructed from a large gas canister & fertilizer was discovered near the oak plug Fortunately it had failed to detonate. To this day the bombers identity remains a mystery. Certainly anyone who has ever visited the oak plug can appreciate the extraordinary effort to get the bomb to its location at the oak plug. Whoever the bomber was, he was extremely determined. During the late 1990s work commenced to drill down from the the shores of Levers Water into the oak plugged passage (Woodends Level) with a view to permanently sealing it. This work was successfully completed and now it is not possible to actually see the oak plug anymore.
posted by Tony Holland on 10/05/2007
Plug?..
Does anyone have more information about the 'plug'? in this mine? have done the usual searches but nothing. Any info greatly appreciated.
posted by Kevin Gracey on 10/05/2007
Infomation.
! dont enter this mine uneqipped !
For detailed plans of the workings purchase a copy of...
Coniston Copper Mines: Eric G Holland.
or...
A pictoral Tour of the Coniston copper mines: CATMHS
posted by Allan on 03/01/2007
Interesting Sites
I hope its OK to post this but I found the following sites really interesting about DIVING in the flooded depths of the coppermines:
http:/ / lists.drogon.net/ scuba-uk-ndg/ archive/ scuba-uk/ 2002/ q4/ msg00154.html
http:/ / www.inspired-training.com/ conistonmine.htm
I hope everyone finds them interesting. I remember some other sites which had good pictures that I will try and find.
posted by Gareth on 02/01/2007
Slate
For those of you who are visiting the mines, I seriously reccomend taking a look at the Old Man slate mines.
posted by Allan on 12/12/2006
