[detritus21]

Whitehaven on the Coast of Cumbria was once extansively mined with a history spanning from the 1500's up to the final closure at Haig Colliery in 1985 due to an extensive fault and a certain iron lady. The only pits, in cumbria, to outlive those on the coast were those located high on moorland between cumbria and county durham.

Coal was mined from 7 main seams to a depth of approximately 1000 feet with a total workable coal of just over 30 feet

Whitehaven have made a good job of showing the area had a history of coal mining unlike certain areas of the North West (Wigan).

Haig Colliery openned in 1914 and was the last to open and last to close. It was sunk to a depth of 200 fathoms at a diameter of 21 feet.






Winding engine. Still works apparently I didn't get to see though.

King Pit




Inclined Plane
The Howgill inclined plane carried coal down to the harbour at Whitehaven dipping 115feet in 230 yards




Wellington Pit
This is the site of one of the worst colliery disaters claiming 136 Lives. Sunk in 1838 and closed in 1932. All the whitehaven collieries were know for fire damp which inevitably lead to the death of many miners in the district.


Wellington Pit Ventilation shaft


Memorial

Duke Pit Fan House

Perhaps the finest example of a surving fan house housed a 36 foot diamter guibal. It was built in 1836.





Further along the coast was saltham pit which I didn't get chance to see.

This is just a small selection of the photos I took well worth a visit if you happen to be in Whitehaven.