Site Records

Two years earlier, work had started on driving the Nent Force Level from Alston. It was originally driven at a width of 3' 6" but this was, in 1777, enlarged to 8' square so that it could be used as a canal to carry out waste rock from the mines it intersected.

In the 19th century, the canal part of the level proved useful as a tourist attraction. By 1805 the level had been driven just over 2 miles and it was estimated that the remaining 5000 yards to Nenthead would take a further 36 years to drive. Throughout its length, the level followed the line of the River Nent.

Initially the air was supplied by a steam powered compressor plant but between 1803 and 1915 the steam plant was gradually replaced by a system of hydraulic compressors using water from three local reservoirs, Smallcleugh Dam, Perry's Dam and Coalcleugh Dam. One set of compressors was located in a chamber excavated at the base of Brewery Shaft. Water from Smallcleugh Dam was carried in a 12" iron pipe (much of which is still visible on the moor) to the top of a 90 foot tower above the shaft. At the top of the shaft, air was admitted into the feed pipe and was sucked down by the descending water. At the bottom of the shaft the air was collected in a bell shaped air receiver. The escaping water was led up a pipe to the Rampgill Horse Level 260 feet above and compressed the air in the receiver. This water was then directed back down the shaft by a third pipe to turn the 80 and 140 horsepower Pelton Wheels in the engine chambers.

These wheels drove air compressors and an electric generator. The outflowing water was discharged along the Nentforce Level. The compressed air was used for driving drilling and winching machinery, pumping and ventilation. It was carried underground in a complex network of iron pipes. Surplus electricity from the generators was fed to Nenthead Village, the first community in the area to receive an electrical supply.