Bellite is essentially a mixture of ammonium nitrate and metadinitro-benzene. It has been used extensively as a coal-mine explosive, and was patented by C. Lamm of Stockholm in 1885.
The ruins of an unfinished explosives factory can be found while taking a walk up throught the Cornaa Valley.
The story of these ruins starts around 1890, when a group of Swedish businessmen decided to build a Bellite factory near the small fishing cove in Cornaa, on the east coast of the Isle of Man.
The plan was to capitalize on the island’s recent mining boom by manufacturing Bellite, a popular explosive used in mining, right there on the island so that it wouldn’t have to be shipped over. However, the business operating license was withdrawn due to safety concerns before the factory was finished, and the shell of it has remained much the same ever since.
Nowadays the unfinished factory is simply a local oddity, hosting only curious glances from those who pass by, and the odd stray cow that wanders in.
From the A2 follow the signs to Port Cornaa via Port Cornaa Road. The road ends at a rocky beach (see car park waypoint). From there follow the footpath by the river back inland for about 500 meters and the ruins will be to your left. The public footpath is clearly marked.
The Cache. Tweezers will be required to retreive the log and please ensure you bring your own pen. There is no need to enter the factory ruins. The cache can be retreived from the public footpath.