The seam at West Scrafton, in Coverdale, dips south at 1 in 12 and has been worked from a series of levels driven into the outcrop. Because the seam dipped into the hill, it was eventually necessary to drive a water level from below the seam. As the level progressed under the workings, it was linked to them first by boreholes and then staple shafts. The coal was drawn up a series of ever deeper shafts, the last of which was 110 metres deep. The coal here varied from 9 to 18 inches in thickness.

On May 24th 1870, when the mine was being worked by W. Horn, a fall of roof killed Robert Spence. The Mines Inspector recorded “Only two men were employed getting coal from a seam in the Millstone Grit for the local shepherds. Produced about two tons per week”. Following this, the mine appears to have been idle until 1883 when it was taken by James Craddock who concentrated on the area around the deep shaft at the southern end of the mine. It was idle between 1892 and 1904, but was worked by the West Scrafton Colliery Co. from 1905 to 1914, when it was abandoned.

Gill, M.C. “Great Dales Coalfield, Eastern Areas” British Mining No.86 (2008), pp.68-108
Spensley, I.M. Mines and Miners of Wensleydale, The author, 2014

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