David,
You are not going to like this bit of information one little bit but I’ll put it on because it does mention the Hall’s:
FURNESS CLOUGH COLLIERY - R.E. Knowles Ltd.
First lease of Colliery was in 1802.
Second lease was in 1823.
Third lease was made in 1844.
In 1895, when some workings were abandoned, pit was in the possession of Messrs Levi and Elijah Hall.
In 1963 the last 5 colliers left the pit; the pumps stopped working and created an underground lake nearly 1000' wide and 500' deep.
Mining of coal was on Red & White Ash seams and fireclay was also mined.
No 1 Shaft Red Ash Seam - 17" thick at 74 feet deep
White Ash Seam - 11½" thick at 149 feet deep
No 2 Shaft Red Ash Seam - 17" thick at 87 feet deep
White Ash Seam - 11½" thick at 162 feet deep
No 3 Shaft Red Ash Seam - 17" thick at 74 feet deep
White Ash Seam - 11½ thick at 157 feet deep
Big Mine was worked to 1859 and included old workings "gotten in the year 1810."
I am, once again sorry to inform you of the fact that your property is built right on top of this lake and you should take great care when doing any alterations. The thought of you falling through the floor and landing in the lake in total darkness is too frightful to imagine.
I may have told you before that your neighbours Joan and Geoff have already mentioned to me that they have a severe case of rising damp. So the signs are all there.
In addition to the above here is another snippet of information about the miners leaving the pit
1963 July 7. Furness Clough Colliery closed ending all mining in this area. Approximately eleven men and two ponies finished work.
I’d get on to Bridgford’s if I were you, Pal.
R. S-S
