The Whitehaven area of Cumbria was once a major mining centre with
numerous coal and metal mines in the surrounding area.
Many of the coastal towns developed as mining ports, although they are now finding a new use as marina's.
Haig Colliery
NGR: NX 9670 1760
The last coal mine to work in the Whitehaven area, Haig Colliery is
now in the care of the Haig Colliery Preservation Group.
Sunk in 1914, there are (were) two main shafts, both over 1,000 ft. (340m) deep: Haig No's. 4 and 5.
The shaft numbering at Haig starts at 4 because the company had other shafts nearer to Whitehaven harbour and at other pits.
The main attraction at Haig is its two preserved steam winders and the large combined engine house and power hall.
Historical Background - Haigh Colliery
Sunk in 1914, there are (were) two main shafts, both over 1,000 ft. (340m)
deep: Haig No's. 4 and 5. The shaft numbering at Haig starts at 4 because the company had other
shafts nearer to Whitehaven harbour and at other pits.
The main attraction at Haig is its two preserved steam winders and the large combined engine house and power hall.
No.4 Shaft
The No.4 shaft was used for man riding (20 men per cage) with a horizontal
twin cylinder steam winder by Bever, Dorling & Co, Bradford. It has 30" diameter cylinders with a 5ft. stroke, running at a typical speed of 40rpm, and operating at 120psi
This small engine developed 1,500 HP. The winder, installed in 1916, turned a 14ft. diameter drum, and had mechanical brakes. It is this engine that the preservation group have concentrated on, and they can now turn it with compressed air - using a 600 cu.ft./min. compressed unit. The orginal Turbo Compressor in the Power House at Haig made 33,000 cu.ft./min. !
The engine doesn't work a cage any more as the headframe for the No.4 shaft was demolished (when the shafts were sealed in 1986) before the preservation group could take over the site.
Left and above right: Views of the No.4 winder.
No.5 Shaft
No.5 shaft was mainly for materials although it could raise 40 men per
cage. It also has a horizontal twin cylinder steam winder by Bever,
Dorling & Co, Bradford. This engine is the larger of the two and has
40" diameter cylinders with a 7ft. stroke. Running at 40rpm and 120psi
it developed 3,200 HP. This winder was installed in 1920 and turned a
21ft. diameter drum.
The Site Today
The Colliery closed in the 1980's. Unlike the
No.4, the headframe and rope still survive on the No.5 shaft. While the
No.4 winder has been restored the No.5 winder is in a sorry state, covered in dirt and pigeon mess and
is waiting it's turn for restoration.
The two winders are separated by a large power hall, which once housed compressors and other ancillary machinery for the pit. The Preservation Group have converted this into a museum and community space, with perhaps (in the future) a mock underground gallery.
A lot of time and effort has gone into restoring the No.4 Winder, and the roof over both engine houses. Work has also taken place on the colliery Powerhall to turn it into a community facility. The Group have received a lottery grants to allow the buildings to be re-roofed, and to restore the No.4 Engine Hall to it's former glory. Although the discovery of asbestos in the buildings has taken up a lot of the groups time and money. The site is well worth visiting - as are the many nearby mine sites and harbour.
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Credits, thanks to:
Report & some pictures: Kelvin Lake |
More Information? For more information about Haig and its engines then contact: Haig Colliery Mining Museum Telephone: 01946 599949 |