Ghostly ruins with a dark secret
NEW TV SHOW ON YESTERDAY CHANNEL REVEALS THE TRUTH ABOUT POLDARK TIN MINE
SPOOKY remains of buildings clinging to cliffs in Cornwall hide a tragic secret, according to fascinating new Yesterday TV show Abandoned Engineering. The dramatic setting of Levant Mine, towering perilously on rocks, saw it used as a location in the recent PoldarkTV series. Now the startling reality of what went on below the surface is set to be revealed in Abandoned Engineering, which returns to TV screens tonight. The series explores the real life tales behind some of the world’s most incredible forgotten structures, and one of the stories unearthed in this week’s episode comes from our own shores. The haunting stone ruins of Levant and neighbouring Botallack Mine are remnants of Cornwall’s tin and copper mining heritage, dating back to Roman times. Established in the 18th century to extract valuable copper and tin ores, hardy eventually end up toiling 2,000ft down and up to 1.5miles beneath the sea. Scientist Fran Scott says: “Working in this mine would have been an assault on the senses. ”A steam beam engine pumped water out of these so-called submarine mines so that the workers could access the rockface below the sea, which was turned blood red by the mine’s waste products. Over the years, mine owners ordered tunnels to be driven into seams of minerals further out under the water for profits. A ‘man engine’ was installed to transport miners further into the murky depths. But, as Fran explains: “More risks were being taken”, and in October 1919 tragedy struck. A link between the rod and the engine snapped, sending 31 men hurtling down the shaft to their doom. It took a week to reach survivors, tunnelling in from the side. Today, the tin mine has been restored for visitors. Fran says: “It’s a glorious window into an incredible feat of Victorian engineering.” The Abandoned Engineering series offers a unique glimpse into many of the globe’s most mysterious sites. From rusting industrial relics to ColdWar bunkers, creepy deserted towns and prisons you’ll be amazed what’s out there!