The Miner's Flame Light Book

Henry A Pohs HB 867pp 8 1/2" x 11",

Profusely illustrated with BW photos and illustrations. Contents include all types of underground lighting: ancient and medieval mine lighting, beginnings of manufactured lighting, hanging oil, candle, oil wick, flame safety, acetylene carbide, flame surveyor's, and crossbreed lamps. If you want to know anything about Mine Lighting this book is a complete text. Henry died a 7 years ago so the book will become even more collectable as stocks run out

£60.00

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Metal Mines of Southern Wales

George Hall PB 97pp

details of Mine sites in Pembrokeshire, Carmathanshire, South Cardiganshire, Radnorshire, Brecknockshire. Includes photos plans and grid references. An important volume that compliments David Bicks Metal Mines of Mid Wales series

£9.95

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Gazeteer of Slate Quarrying in Wales

A J Richards PB 351pp revised 2007 edition

The essential guide to slate mines, with useful grid references and information on each site - the updated version includes a useful index of names. You are provided with a grid refe4rence and complete site guide

£8.95

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Cheltenham Stone , The Whittington Quarries

Arthur J Price, SB, 162pp

120 Illustrations, 8 Colour pages. This is long term research project by the author. He describes the sources of the stone which characterises Cheltenham Buildings. It includes details of the Quarryworkers who extracted and worked the stone. How the stone was extracted within difficult conditions. Provides examples of buildings erected with the stone. There details of underground workings supplemented with sketches, plans , colour and Black and White photos. This is an excellent book and pays tribute to the authors perseverance on this project

£12.99

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The Lakes & Cumbria Mines Guide

Ian Tyler, PB, 207pp, 8 x 5.8 inches

The book is a straightforward gazetteer providing the reader with maps and suggested walking routes. Grid references and site details are provided with descriptions of each site . I most like is the information about suitable parking sites and access points with excellent map information. When visiting the lakes this should be used as a companion to your favourite Wainwright.

£12.95

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Underground Reigate

Malcolm Tadd, PB, 52pp, 1 map, 1 figure, 9 B&W photographs

The book describes the sandmines and underground spaces in Reigate Surrey, also includes details of the Cold war bunker, Monty's hideout, Reigate road tunnel. The underground workings are called caves but are in fct underground sandstone mine workings.

£7.00

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History & Gazetteer of the Lead Mine Soughs of Derbyshire

History & Gazetteer of the Lead Mine Soughs of Derbyshire, H Rieuwerts, HB 8 1/2 " x 6 1/4 " 143 pp, 1987 published by author

First edition hard back binding in original dark green crocodile effect cloth covers, gilt lettering to spine and upper panel. Archive monochrome photographic illustrations on glossy silk art paper, maps and charts. No. 33 of 200 Limited copies (also ; 24 of 200; 1 unsigned copy)

£50.00

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British Mining No 81 - The Van Mines


Nigel A Chapman, A5, SB, 144pp., 54 illustrations, 5 appendices

The Van Mine, near Llanidloes, was a relative latecomer to the UK lead mining scene when it was developed by Mr E. Morris of Oswestry and Mr J. Howell of Hawarden. After eleven years of poor results, they cut the Van Lode in 1862 and created one of Britain’s most productive mines. Van peaked in 1877, producing 6,470 tons of lead and 2,404 tons of zinc concentrates and continued in operation until 1921. During the latter half of the nineteenth century the mine produced 95,739 tons of lead concentrates, 28,424 tons of zinc blende and 756,142 ozs of silver. The lode was so extensive that ‘deads’ from surrounding areas were brought in to stabilise the workings by packing them. The monograph also describes the history of other mines which worked the Van Lode including: East Van,Central Van, Bryntail or Van Consols, Great West Van, and Van United Mines together with nine others, so great was the attraction of the Van name. The monograph describes the way in which mines were promoted, money raised and dividends paid in the late nineteenth century. In addition to the corporate bluster there were a few strikes and some accidents. The author also includes descriptions of the sites as they are today.

£9.50

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Mountains and Orefields: metal mining landscapes in mid and north-east Wales

Nigel Jones, Pat Frost and Mark Walters, Softback, A4, 198pp

Very well presented details of surface remains of many metal mine sites in North and Mid Wales includes the following mine sites, Halkyn Mountain, Belgrave, Eisteddfod Minera, Craig-y-Mwyn, Cwm Elan, Cwm Orog, Dalrhiw and Nat y Car South, Gwestyn, Nant yr Eira, Nantygarw, Nantiago, Pen Dylife, Penyclun, Lower Park Minera, Pool Park Minera and Talargoch Clive Shaft The extraction of natural resources has had a profound effect on the Welsh landscape, and the exploitation of metal ores has been a feature of rural upland landscapes since the Bronze Age. This report breaks new ground by providing a synthesis of information on a range of non-ferrous metal mining sites, and a broad chronological framework from Roman to Victorian times - focusing in most detail on the period of rapid expansion in workings during the 18th and 19th centuries. The emphasis of the report throughout is upon the landscape perspective of the mining sites, including topography and setting, as well as the interpretation from the physical remains of the mining techniques used above ground, the sources of power, methods of transport, and on-site processing. This report will be of interest to readers with a broad interest in landscape history and archaeology, as well as those with a specialist interest in industrial and mining. CBA Research Report 141

£19.95

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Mines of the Gwydyr Forest 6 volumes + PDF file

I am offering Parts 2 - 7 plus an Author approved (Rob Vernon) PDF copy of Volume 1 which is now out of print

Rob Vernon and John Bennett PB A5

Part 1 Llanwrst, Alltwen & Gorlan
Part 2 Hafna & Vale of Conway
Part 3 Parc, TynTwll & Gwyder Consols
Part 4 Aberllyn,Penrallt, Griffin & Wl George
Part 5, Cyffty, Coed Mawr Pool, Ffrith & Glyn pits
Part 6, Pandora & Other Mines of NW Gwyder
Part 7 Cae Coch, Coed Gwydyr & Trecastell Mines

£12.00

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Slate Quarrying at Corris (updated version)

Alun John Richards, Sb, 148pp (2007 edition)

This is an updated version providing additional information and research and of course the closure of the last mine.

This book is an ideal tool for explorers and researchers alike

£8.95

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Surrey's Ancient Stone Mines

This book is the result of some thirty years of study and exploration of
ancient underground stone quarries and hearthstone mines in the Reigate
area. The old workings have nearly 2000 years of proven history, and
research continues to reveal new aspects of the trade and its place in our
local history as each year passes. The book provides a chronological look
at the industry, and a site by site description of the quarries and mines.

The book contains the following chapters:

SECTION 1 - Stone Quarries : Origins § The Medieval Centuries § Firestone §
Working the Stone § The Reigate Quarries § The Gatton Quarries § The
Merstham Quarries § The Chaldon Quarries § The Godstone Quarries § The
Croydon, Merstham and Godstone Iron Railway

SECTION 2 - Hearthstone Mines : What is Hearthstone? § Brockham Hearthstone
Mine § Surrey Hearthstone Mine, Betchworth § Cawley's Mine, Betchworth §
Colley Hill Hearthstone Mine § Merstham and Bletchingley Mines § Godstone
Hearthstone Mines § Appendix § Glossary

The book is paperback, 9" x 6", 204 pages, well illustrated with 49
photographs (B+W), and 34 diagrams, location maps etc.

£12.95

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Rosedale and its Ironstone Mines

Simon Chapman A5, PB 104 Pages

A comprehensive and well-illustrated history of mining activities in the Rosedale valley between the 1850s and the 1920s. Intrigue and treachery abound, learn how men were cheated of their discovery and how the railway enhanced the value of the mines and brought prosperity and more mining activity to the small village of Rosedale Abbey. Read of the good times and the bad times. Mining started after the unique Magnetic iron ore was discovered in two deposits on the West Side of the valley. Its true character defies us even today. Simon as usual manages to make a blow by blow account of the story seem to stand in brilliant relief. A book long anticipated, it should give much pleasure

£6.50

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The Cannock Chase Coalfield and its Coal Mines

Various Authors, A4, produced on high quality gloss finish paper, soft cover, 346pp

Every now and again I come across really well written volumes with loads of new research with previously unpublished photos and plans. This book is one of those and covers part of the South Staffordshire Coalfield, South of Wolverhampton and Walsall in the West Midlands. This the first comprehensive study of this coalfield and includes excellent photographic material, there are good descriptions of each colliery and details of their locations supported by plans and drawings. There is also a brief description of some of the lesser known ventures.

£15.00

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Elizabethan Copper - The History of The Company of Mines Royal 1568 - 1605

M B Donald, SB, 405pp
Tells the history of the company of the Mines Royal 1568 – 1605, a collectors item and well worth reading about early mining history, which involved German Miners who were employed for their scientific abilities in the Cumberland Mines.

£15.00

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Swildon's Hole 100 Years of Exploration

Dave Irwin, Alison Moody, Andy Farrant, Hb, 276pp, full colour and includes a copy of the survey

The book gives a history of exploration of the cave to date, together with a detailed description of the cave passages and features, with an explanation of its geology and hydrology.

A extremely well produced book, thoroughly volume which will sit very well in any explorers library

£25.00

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The Metalliferous mining region of South West England (2 Volumes)

Dines, HG, 796pp SB - 2 volumes

The definitive volume on metal mining in Devon and Cornwall. 1994 reprint of the 1956 original, this is one for geologists or mine explorers alike. Produced in two volumes with plans by British Geological Survey

£30.00

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Slates from Glyn Ceriog - the History of the Slate Industry of the Slate Industry of the Ceriog Valley 1529 - 1948 and the influence on the creation of the Glyn Valley Tramway

John Milner, Case Bound, HB, 212pp, 214photos, 10 maps, 6 drawings

After over forty years of research by author John Milner. the untold history of the Ceiriog Valley slate industry 1529-1948 is revealed for the first time. This is volume 1 of John Milner's Industrial History of the Ceiriog Valley, to be released over the cert few years; the culmination of a lifetime's research work. It is much more than simply a book on the slate industry in this little corner of North East Wales. It relates the story of the English entrepreneurs who arrived to exploit the mineral wealth; that of the local inhabitants who, over the centuries, were provided with work and a modest living standard; the influence that the slate industry had on the creation of the Glyn Valley Tramway; and the cultural development of this little Welsh community. Case bound with full colour jacket 212 pages on quality art paper in full colour throughout Fold-out plans 214 photographs, 10 specially commissioned maps, 10 plans and 6 drawings A quality book designed and published by the author

£28.50

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The Scottish Gold Rush of 1869

This is the latest offering from Northern Mines Research Society - British Mining No 84

Authors R M Callender & P F Preston, sb, A5 164pp, 55 pictures / illustrations, The Strath of Kildonan, in Sutherland is where the study is based. There is not only a fascinating story but this is a particularly well researched monograph and provides the reader a wealth of information and whet the appetite to get up there and trying panning in the in the streams.

Price £12.00 + p&p

Mike

£12.00

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Snailbeach Lead Mine

Shropshire Mines Trust, SB, 172pp, 112 Photos, 28 Illustrations, 3 maps

Snailbeach lead Mine lies in South West Shropshire and was once the largest metalliferous mine in the Country. Described as having more lead per acre than any other mine in Europe as it once provided 10% of the UK's lead and 25% of its barite The book has been published by the Shropshire Mines Trust has been published by the Shropshire Mines Trust and is aimed at the general reader. Various contributors tell you about the Geology, history, working and living conditions of the miners, the shaft accident, the Snailbeach District Railway and wildlife found in and around the mine. There are descriptive tours of the surface and underground. It is the sort of book you can flick through and start reading at any point.

£9.00

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'Mongst Mines and Mine Explorers DVD Set - Exploration of Cornish Mines above & below ground

programmes with commentaries, presented in a special 3-DVD library case 4 Hours 34 minutes

This massive DVD collection follows the members of the Shropshire Caving and Mining Club (SCMC) as they explore the incomparable mining remains still to be found in Cornwall, both above and below ground. Mainly recorded in 1993, it also features footage shot in 1983 and 1987 of sites that have since changed considerably, and material shot during the 'InterNAMHO 2000' mining history conference. 22 separate fully-edited documentary programmes with commentaries, presented in a special 3-DVD library case.Disc 1: "Underground" - mine toursSouth Crofty Tin MineJoin us in 1993 as we descend in the cage to the 380 fathom level, 730 metres (2400 feet) below adit. Europe's last working tin mine, South Crofty was one of the oldest mines in Cornwall - copper was mined here in 1670, and probably 100 years before that. As we tour the 400 fathom level with the prolific mining historian and Crofty man Allen Buckley, a Clayton battery loco passes us hauling ore to the underground crusher, while Atlas Copco rocker shovels muck-out headings and ore passes. To save the slog of walking 150 metres up the 1 in 4 decline from the 400 fathom level to the 380, we make use of the man-rider conveyor. Returning to surface we visit the 1.1 megawatt electric winder built by Fullerton Hodgart & Barclay originally for New Monkton Colliery in Yorkshire. A more detailed tour of the surface buildings is on disc 3 in the "Red River" section. Cligga Head mineFamous for its hundred-metre high cliffs honeycombed with old men's workings for tin, in the 1930s and 40s Cligga was worked for tungsten. With members of the SCMC we explore the mine in '93 and '94 using the Mk.1 'Borg' camera. Sights include Cousin Jack ore passes, many small cavities where only the highest grade ore was taken, false floors, collapsed timbering and a vast stope. In the lower levels we see iron gates, old piping, cables & ropes, Contact shaft and the Beach Adit exit. Rosevale tin mineWe tour the workings of the only underground restoration project of its kind in Cornwall, during an InterNAMHO conference visit in 2000. The Rosevale Historical Mining Society are working on a voluntary basis to restore the mine to working condition, replacing timbering, re-opening levels and clearing drainage channels. The mine's busiest period was in the early nineteenth century and later it was worked by local miners who had returned from abroad. Bonus Items:'Borg' tours in 1993 with Camborne School of Mines (CSM) students: Great Condurrow Mine - the CSM training mine since the 1920s, plus a quick look at historic mining exhibits collected at King Edward mine. The former Holman Brothers Test Mine - originally developed to showcase and test Holman equipment such as drilling machines. This also became a CSM mine for practical instruction in surveying, mining and explosive techniques. Driven in the face of an old Carnmenellis granite quarry, the tunnels are riddled with drill holes! Disc 2: "Machinery" - mine equipment Michell's shaft winder, 'East Pool Whim' has been an ambassador for Cornish mining heritage for years. The nodding beam and slowly turning flywheel attract passing visitors and help the National Trust introduce them to the fascinating industrial history of the county. We see the whim in motion in 1983 and 1993. On the other side of Agar road, Taylor's shaft has the largest and most recently built beam pumping engine left in Cornwall, also in the care of the National Trust. We see the massive 90 inch diameter steam cylinder and 53 tonne beam. Outside we explore the boiler houses, compressor house & horizontal steam winder house as they had been left, before they were renovated to house the Cornwall Industrial Discovery Centre. The Tolgus Tin Company operated a tin streaming works until 1985, recovering tin from waste left by other mines. We visited it in 1987 and saw the disused 12-head Cornish stamps, slime settling pits, Cornish round frame, Holman and James shaking tables and scoop wheels; plus modern plant such as flotation cells, a Bartles cross-belt separator and a Mozley concentrator - just as they had been left. In 1993 we went back to see how things had changed since the site had been taken over by the 'Cornwall Gold Centre' and the stream works managed by the Trevithick Trust. Afterwards we examined the Brunton calciner - described as the best example still surviving. Geevor tin mine was still working when we visited in 1987 for a tour of the dressing mill. We have a look at the buildings around Victory shaft, then examine the processing plant: vibrating screens, ball mills, shaking tables, froth flotation cells separating tin oxide from copper, arsenic and iron sulphides, a magnetic separator, a rotary drying kiln and the bagging plant. We then have a quick look at the mining company's own small museum. During the InterNAMHO 2000 conference, we were privileged to be given a tour of Wheal Jane tin mine site, including the 'mothballed' processing mill - the last to work in Cornwall. Double-deck shaking tables, banks of flotation cells, a rod mill and 3 ball mills, a Mozley Multi-Gravity Separator, hydrocyclones, screw densifiers and deep cone thickeners - just some of the plant we see in the mill, which pioneered froth flotation for commercial tin separation. Half way through the tour we get a chance to see tin smelting - the last tin ore from South Crofty is still being used to make Pure Tin Jewellery for the South Crofty Collection. We also look down the still open Beecher's shaft and the huge modern 'No.2' shaft. This chapter includes some views of the site while it was still working in 1987. Plus:China clay works around St. Austell seen at work in 1983 and 1993; Levant mine site in 1983 and the whim in steam in 1993; views of Botallack mine site and the Crowns engine houses.Bonus Items:InterNAMHO 2000 River trip: On the Saturday evening of the conference, delegates enjoyed a chartered voyage from Malpas near Truro to Falmouth; passing King Harry ferry, Restronguet creek, Mylor creek and the Falmouth dockyard. A great deal of fascinating maritime industrial history was seen.Miscellaneous small mines: Brief looks at Cot valley including Wheal Hermon, Wheal Peevor, Porthtowan cliffs, Wheal Busy and Cape Cornwall. Disc 3: "Buildings" - surface exploration "Red River": Surface views of mines around the Tuckingmill valley.Starting with South Crofty in 1983 when the unique concrete pumping engine house was still standing, we move to 1987 and a specially arranged tour round Robinson's shaft area and views of the 'mothballed' Copperhouse Foundry 80 inch pumping engine. After looking at Cook's Kitchen shaft and the mill buildings from various vantage points, we see other sights in the valley such as the Tuckingmill decline entrance a year after work started. At Brea Addit we see abandoned 19th century buddles near a modern streaming plant, then move to South Tincroft with its famous man engine house.Jumping to 2000 we are lucky to be given a detailed surface tour of South Crofty Cook's Kitchen and Robinson's shaft buildings by Allen Buckley. Another fascinating trip during the InterNAMHO 2000 conference was the tour of Kennal Vale gunpowder works led by King Edward Mine luminary Kevin Baker. We start at the Perran foundry which was owned by the Fox family who started the works to provide mines with black powder for blasting. Pausing in Ponsanooth to examine a gunpowder proving mortar, we walk through Kennal Wood to see buildings used by the gunpowder factory and a later granite quarry. The powder buildings include 7 pairs of massive incorporating mills, where the constituents were mixed and ground by limestone edge runners. To round-off the tour and the whole InterNAMHO conference, historic firearms expert Colin Herriett demonstrates the power of powder! The Basset mines around Carnkie working the Great Flat Lode show one of the best historic mining landscapes in the world. We have a look round Wheal Basset stamps, West Basset stamps and Marriott's shaft in 1993, before the buildings were restored and the sites tidied-up and made safe for the modern visitor. Stamps double beam-engine houses, buildings for vanners, buddles and calciners date from the early 20th century but mainly used 19th century ideas. A more modern approach was evident at Marriott's shaft with its large horizontal compressor and very unusual under-beam pumping engine. Plus:The title of this DVD set is based on that of J.C.Burrow's seminal 1893 book "'Mongst Mines and Miners", which set the standard for underground photography for many years and helped inspire later photographers and film makers. John Charles Burrow was awarded a medal for this collection and went on to perfect his techniques; but these early successes include some of the most famous photographs in mining history, such as "The Man Engine at Dolcoath Mine". We were fortunate to get permission to use very high quality prints recently taken from the original negatives; so we explore these in depth, moving around each image and often going in close to show details which haven't been easily seen before in book prints. We also show short explorations in '93 of the picturesque Wheal Coates mine site and the extensive and windswept Tywarnhayle copper mine. In 2000 we go on a walk around St. Agnes mines such as Wheal Kitty, Polberro, Wheal Luna and Wheal Friendly; with the well-known mining archaeology author and Cornish enginehouse expert Kenneth Brown.Bonus Items:An audio-visual stills sequence showing additional mines and sites, including Blue Hills Tin Streams and Wheal Uny.Aerial views during the flight around mining areas of Cornwall during the InterNAMHO 2000 conference
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Mongst More Mines - (DVD) Exploration of Southwestern mines above and below ground

This is a compilation and doesn't have a commemtary and is not fulled edited or dubbed but sites are identified by captions

in June 2007 the National Association of Mining History Organisations (NAMHO) held its annual conference at Morwellham Quay by the River Tamar. The organisers arranged special visits to many mines in Devon and Cornwall and this compilation features some of them. A group from the Shropshire Mining Club (SCMC) spent the following week exploring more Cornish Mines and many visits are included here.
Sites include: Morwellham Quay; George & Charlotte; guided surface tour of Kelly Mine; including the dressing mill, explore various levels of Great Rock shiny ore mine underground. Blue Hills tin Streaming centre, a stroll around St Agnes, attend a specialy arranged visit to Wheal Peevor before it was opened to the public; revisit Taylors Shaft and Mitchells shaft National Trust preserved Cornish Engines in Pool. Examine mines of the Bassett sett, West Bassett and Wheal Bassett stamps and Marriot's shaft.
A look around King Edward dressing Mill, followed by a visit to Wheal Grenville Stamps; a quick look at Brea Tin Streaming Works, South Crofty's New Roskear Shaft, The Red River near Roscroggan and Cornish Giold Centre to see Tolgus Tin Streamimg Works, St Eunys churchyard to contemplate miners Gravesstones.

A special visit to Camborne School of mines Test Mine, A walk around Botallack, a visit to Geevor tin mine and a special trrip down 79 metres of ladders in Victory shaft to Deep Adit level and view the dammed connection to Levant Mine and exit through a long winding level in Trewellard Cliffs.

Wheal Trewas nr Rinsey Cove, Bodmin and the mines around Caradon Hill: South Phoenix, Phoenix United and Wheal Jenkin nr Minions and finaly South Caradon Copper Mine

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£14.10

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Raising the Dead: True Story of Death & Survival.

Philip Finch, Hb, 310pp

A true story of death and survival in the world's most dangerous sport, cave diving. Two friends plunge 900 ft deep into a water-filled crater in the Kalahari Desert to raise the body of a diver who had perished there a decade before. Only one returns. Unquenchable heroism and complex human relationships amid the perils of extreme sport. The following is an extract from the book Don Shirley’s dive went smoothly at first. He headed down quickly. About five minutes in, he reached 120m. He knew that Dave Shaw should now be returning to the shot line, beginning his long return to the surface, with or without the body. During an ascent, all rebreathers release some gas from the breathing loop to compensate for the reduced water pressure, so Shirley began to look for bubbles coming up the line. Dave Shaw exploring Bushman's Hole in the Northern Cape province He saw nothing. He wasn’t too concerned at first. He thought that Shaw might have fallen slightly behind schedule on his descent. But when another minute or more went by and still no bubbles, Shirley knew that Shaw must be in trouble. As he dropped past the last group of four emergency tanks at 150m, Shirley began to prepare himself mentally: he was going to the bottom. Some time after he passed 150m, Shirley glimpsed a single dim light below, at an angle off the shot line. But the light wasn’t moving. Shirley – still plummeting – shone his high-intensity beam down towards the spot. If Shaw were conscious, he would certainly see it from this distance, and would respond by waving his own light. The light didn't move. This is bad, Shirley thought. As he approached 220m, he still saw no bubbles and no movement from the light. He continued to descend, dropping about 10m every 20 seconds. Past 220m. The light didn't move. Past 230. The light didn't move. Past 240. The smear of light in the blackness got bigger as he approached, but it hadn't moved since he first sighted it, nearly five minutes earlier. Then, at about 250m, he heard a sharp crack down by his left forearm. Shirley glanced down, but he already knew what he would see: the Hammerhead [a closed-circuit, mixed-gas controller and decompression computer] was dark. It had imploded under the pressure of the depth and was now flooded, the electronics ruined. In the space between heartbeats, a debate played itself out in Shirley’s mind. For an instant, he thought that he might continue down the last 20m to the bottom. He could add oxygen manually to the rebreather loop. He might yet be able to do something for Shaw. This was a contradiction of everything Shirley taught his students, everything that he believed. A critical failure always turns a dive. Always. He thought: But maybe… The dim light still wasn’t moving. Then: No. He’s gone. Now he had to save himself. Shirley opened a valve to add gas to his wings, arresting his descent, then injected oxygen into the rebreather’s breathing loop. But this spiked the oxygen to a dangerous level, so high that a single breath could have convulsed him. His next breath had to come from one of the open-circuit bailout tanks that floated at his left side. Shirley had simulated this emergency hundreds of times while training his students on rebreathers. Drills and skills, he lectured them. Now he went through the same procedure, reflexively: exhale, twist the mouthpiece valve to prevent water from entering the loop, remove the mouthpiece and let it float free, and bring the open-circuit regulator to his mouth. The last part brought a quick twinge of uncertainty. The regulators on Shirley’s emergency tanks were from the shipment of new Scubapro gear he had received in December. They were standard issue, not modified, and only briefly tested. As his right hand reached for the regulator on the nearest tank, Shirley was about to trust his life to a piece of off-the-shelf scuba equipment that had not been designed for these depths. He fitted the mouthpiece between his lips and inhaled. Instantly gas flowed through the regulator, and he felt it fill his lungs. Less than half a minute after the emergency began, Shirley was stabilised. His descent was arrested and he was breathing safely. Shirley was now the only living being in the cave. Nearly 250m of water and 70 decompression stops lay between him and the open air. He began to ascend. With the emergency averted, Shirley began to focus on a plan to get safely back to the surface as quickly as possible. The descent to 250m had increased his decompression dues – by how much he didn’t yet know. He found that one of his two VR3 dive computers had flooded. But the backup unit was still operating and showed a decompression time of more than 11 and a half hours to the surface. Shirley carried a thick set of plastic slates with half a dozen plans tailored for different depths and bottom times, based on schedules that he and Shaw had worked out in October. Each plan occupied two slates, and flipping through them was almost like paging through a book. Shirley decided to use a plan designed for three minutes at 270m. He hadn't quite reached 270, and he hadn’t stayed for three minutes, but this would build in a margin of safety. The plan called for a first decompression stop at 222m for 30 seconds, and Shirley headed up, breathing from the bailout tank. He checked the tank’s gauge and discovered that the pressure had dropped perceptibly after just a couple of minutes. One breath at this depth consumed as much gas as 25 breaths at the surface. He could see the needle of the gauge tick downwards with each inhalation. Shirley had brought two bailout tanks. He realised that at this rate, both tanks might be empty before he reached the emergency cylinders at 150m. The Hammerhead's secondary console was still operating – it monitored the machine but didn’t control it – and when he checked the panel he saw that the oxygen levels in the loop had stabilised. He went back on the rebreather. This kept him busy: he constantly had to check the oxygen level in the breathing loop and add oxygen when the level dropped. He was also following the decompression plan, ascending in increments and holding for precise intervals. Shirley was now at the first set of emergency tanks. If necessary, he could complete his dive using only the cylinders on the line. According to his original plan, he should have taken one of the three cylinders here and brought it with him when he continued up. But he decided to leave them all. Shirley still hoped that Shaw might be following him up the line. He knew it was unrealistic and could see only blackness below, but he couldn’t completely reconcile himself to the certainty that he was leaving behind his dead friend. Shaw might be alive, he thought. And if he was, then he would be facing a massive decompression, and he would need all the gas he could get. He started up without the cylinder. Lo Vingerling, one of the support divers, met Shirley as he arrived at 118m for a one-minute stop. Vingerling gave Shirley an OK sign – intended as a question – and Shirley promptly returned it. Shirley was so composed that Vingerling never realised that he was manually operating the rebreather. Vingerling only learnt of it a couple of hours later, when he finally surfaced. Vingerling peered down below and saw only blackness. He was prepared to go down to 150 to look for Shaw; he had the proper gases and he was willing. He made a 'down there' gesture. But Shirley shook his head and drew a finger across his throat. Vingerling nodded. He pushed a valve to add gas to his buoyancy wings and began to rise. The next support diver to drop down out of the darkness was Stephen Sander, about 18 minutes later. Shirley was now on a decompression stop at 81m. Sander was shocked to see just one light below as he approached Shirley. Sander knew from the look in Shirley's eyes that something was wrong. He also noticed that the controller on Shirley's left forearm had imploded and knew that Shirley must have gone beyond his planned depth. Shirley made a pencil-on-paper scribbling motion, asking for a slate; he wanted to conserve his own. Sander gave him one of his plastic slates. Shirley wrote: Dave not coming back.

£16.99

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Underground Manchester - secrets of the city revealed


Underground Manchester - secrets of the city revealed - £15.95 - £1.50 P&P
Keith Warrender, SB, 250 x 190, 167pp


"There are always urban legends but in this case Keith Warrender has collected all the available evidence, so far, to guide us and has been given access to the official records to substantiate the facts, where appropriate. Clearly there are large elements with an excess of information that has had to be condensed so we don't loose interest and there are lots of tantalising gems that deserve to be investigated further providing it is safe to do so. I have joined guides in other Cities and would like to see an underground tour in Manchester - perhaps starting from the Cathedral Arches. Hopefully there will be a second volume and the twin Cities of Salford and Manchester can be brought closer.
The presentation of the major elements is clear and the scrapbook of tantalising glimpses for other items begs for more. Local explorers can start in Castlefield, visit the Science Museum Exhibits for Water and Sewerage then follow the Rochdale Canal around GMex. Those of us that recall the Subway under Deansgate between the Kendals buildings will find a few answers here. Review by J A Kidd"

£15.95

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