Uploads from Paul Sproat, with geodata

Northumberlandia.

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:10:08 -0700

Shotton Opencast Coal Mine near to Cramlington, Northumberland.

This view shows the earth sculpture Northumberlandia but from the opencast side.
The sculpture stands upon one of several fault lines in the area.

One of my favourite images this one. :)

White.

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 23:29:35 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

Some white flowers I spotted at the side of the road.

Pump room. Ashington Colliery.

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 01:54:20 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

This is a pump room at Ashington Colliery, Northumberland.
Now closed and reclaimed, the colliery was a major employer in The Northumberland Coal Field.

I'm unsure if there were more pump rooms at the colliery but this image shows a set of three pumps.
Each pump can be isolated from the system for maintenance.

Each of those electric motors will be 75hp 3 phase, and probably be working at 1100volts.
The far electric motor is modern and I'd estimate it to be around the 100hp mark.

I never got to see a pump room when I was below ground there but wish I had..

Linton engine.

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 01:38:13 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

Linton Colliery, Northumberland was situated next to a small village.
I expected to find rough working conditions and small workings. Not so!!

There were several locos hauling coal tubs (large tubs) in long sets.
This image shows just how mechanised and modernised the mine became. Part of The Ashington Combine, the reserves must have been huge.

Glass Center.

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:11:49 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

This panoramic was taken adjacent to The National Glass Center In Sunderland, U.K.

There are 20 photos sewn together to make it.

South Row.

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:12:26 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

South Row is located at the south side of the old Seaton Delaval Colliery workshops.

Now cleared of floors the street has been turned into industrial units.
The south side of those units shows some of the window and door details (now bricked-up) though some, like these, have been done poorly!

I took this photo to give some better detail of the doorways themselves.

Ashington armoured removal.

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 03:44:08 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

When faces advanced on the armoured conveyor and other equipment had to be dismantled and moved on piece by piece.

In this image the props are slowly bending and snapping as the face is advanced.
Terrifying!

Ashington. Winning by hand.

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 03:08:48 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

Prior to mechanisation, coal was 'won' by hand.
Various stages were carried out and what we see in the photo is the coal being split for easier extraction from the mine.

Larger coals were often favoured, particularly in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Look closely and you will see his distorted body. his mis-shapen ankles, his chest, his spine. All 'broken' by the mine.
His lungs will be choking with the dust..

In later years these low seams of coal would be worked by machines. They'd be crammed in and require men to operate them in that space.
The machines often got jammed..

Wheatridge.

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 13:12:43 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

The rear of Wheatridge Row, Seaton Delaval in 1950.

Gala.

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 13:05:01 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

Seaton Delaval Gala on an unknown date.
Photo taken from The Hastings Arms.

Of note is the size of the fairground behind the cart!

Hester coal workings.

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 12:57:33 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

Another image I think folk may have seen.

This simple scale drawing shows the coal workings (below ground passage ways) from Hester Pit at New Hartley.

The workings show a simple layout though I think they play only a part in the whole pit plan?

For those who don't know - one chain measures 66 feet.

Hester Pit shaft detail regards disaster shaft ingress.

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 07:55:30 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

This historic drawing is to scale and shows just how deep The Hester Pit was.
The drawing shows various things but of note is the part where a detailed plan is shown after the pumping beam failed and fell down the shaft.
It shows where men and boys were found dead (and alive) in that fateful shaft.
it also shows where long pumping rods reached down the shaft to actuate pumping mechanisms.
There is also information on the position of the furnace and where men attempted to reach a higher level by accessing short workings.

The scale of the drawing also shows the above-ground buildings as well as steam boilers.

There are many well-written books on The Hartley Disaster and with this scaled drawing a better picture of events can be had.

For a better viewing experience click on view all sizes.

River Blyth.

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Fri, 31 May 2013 13:30:00 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

Photo taken at Humford Mill.

Seaweed.

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Fri, 03 May 2013 02:15:05 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

Spotted on a beach.

I think this seaweed is dangerous?

Face..

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 01:59:21 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

Spotted in a farm garden.

The face will haunt me...!

Buttercups..

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:36:32 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

At the side of an old road.
The scent was almost overpowering from them - there were thousands..

St. Michaels main door.

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:17:10 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

The main entrance door at St. Michaels Church, New Hartley.

The church was built in 1900 and the door isn't as ornate as some but it still merits a place on Flickr..

Blue.

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 12:52:31 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

Spotted today at the side of a farm track.

I've no idea of its name?

Humford Footbridge.

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 08:07:26 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

A small footbridge that crosses over Hartford Burn in Humford Woods.

Bates' Pit. 1930s.

nobody@flickr.com (Paul Sproat) — Sat, 04 May 2013 11:18:57 -0700

Paul Sproat posted a photo:

Not a very good image!

I've no idea what direction it was taken from but at least we have an image...