The Rising Sun Colliery Earthcache EarthCache
The Rising Sun Colliery Earthcache
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A short walk on (mainly) shale paths to the summit of a local hill; suitable for bikes and pushchairs. The 360 degree views from the published co-ordinates and the wildlife make this an interesting site for an earthcache.
A site in Benton that once housed one of the world’s largest coal mines, has been transfromed into a 400 acre natural green oasis. The Park is a site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) and the lake is designated as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR).
History.
The Rising Sun Colliery opened in 1906, the site in Benton, North Tyneside once owned by the Wallsend and Hebburn Coal Co Ltd once housed one of the world’s largest coal mines. In an article written for the "Colliery Engineering" publication (Dec 1935) the following was noted about the company and the site -
"At their Rising Sun pit the Wallsend & Hebburn Coal Co. Ltd. have erected what is probably the most complete coal preparation plant in the world. Wallsend has been in every sense a household word ever since, in 1756, the High Main seam was first exploited by the famous colliery which bears this name. It has always been a synonym for outstanding quality; so much so, indeed, that it is utilised by coal producers whose pits are pitched many leagues away from the Roman station of Segedunum, that marked the "wall's end," or eastern terminus of Hadrian's historic line of fortifications that stretched across the country from Solway to Tyne. It is thus singularly fitting that a colliery with such a tradition should take pains to preserve a reputation for quality by installing one of the most complete coal-preparation plants in the world. For not only does this plant provide for both the dry-cleaning and wet-washing of the product but also for the dedusting of the coal, the washing of the dust by flotation, filtration, thermal drying, water clarification, blending and mixing, and dry and wet screening."
Shaft Details.
The Shaft eventually reached a depth of 769 ft 5 inches making it one of the deepest in Europe at that time. The coal however, was found in several seams ranging in thickness from 1inch at the thinnest to 6ft 3inches at its thickest, if all the seams of coal where compressed together a major seam some 33ft 7 and 3/4inches would have been able to be mined, as it was only the four major seams where mined. These where the High Main Seam, 6ft 3inches thick at a depth of 557ft, the Metal Coal Seam, 3ft 2inches thick at a depth of 594ft, the Yard Seam, 3ft thick at a depth of 702ft and finally the Bensham Seam, 5ft 3inches thick at a depth of 769ft 5 inches.
The Rising Sun Colliery eventually closed in 1969.
More information on the Shaft and the Rising Sun Colliery can be found at http://www.dmm.org.uk
Profile.
Given a new lease of life following an official opening by the Duke of Northumberland in October 2003, the Rising Sun Country Park is now a 400 acre natural green oasis set in the heart of North Tyneside, it boasts an Organic Farm, Nature Reserve, Countryside Centre, numerous ponds, woodlands and extensive area of grasslands. As well as being a wildlife haven the Country Park provides people with a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city. The Country Park is actively promoting healthy living, it provides a resource for healthy outdoor activities, healthy food and encourages sustainable practices. The wildlife within the Country Park is rich and diverse. The Park is a site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) and the lake is designated as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR).
To Claim This Cache:
In order to claim this cache you need to:
1. Upload a photograph of your GPS and/or you at the published co-ordinates with your log.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Gbc bs gur uvyy.
Treasures
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