Hello, time to introduce myself, no better way to do that than a report! I'm Bails, I'm a Fine Art Student at University and a Photographer, currently based in the area of North Lincolnshire, I've only recently got into Urbex but I've been using this site anonymously for a while, I'm also currently creating a artist book based on the photos and experiences I've captured exploring around Lincolnshire. Anyway, enough of me, lets keep this short n' sweet and lets get into this report shall we?
DRAGONBY MINE, LINCOLNSHIRE.
History: Ironstone mining has been present around the area since the Roman times, but only been rediscovered and exploited in the 19th Century by a chap known as Roland Winn which then lead to the Industrial boom of the bordering town of Scunthorpe, with Steel Production being the head industry, the ironstone and ore was exported from various places including South Yorkshire and Nettleton Top Mines near Caistor with open top quarrying around the area in Winterton and Flixborough. Throughout the 20th Century, experimentation began with underground mining, with Santon Drift Mine created in 1931, after the Second World War, in 1948, Dragonby Drift Mine was created as a relief mine for Santon, with both mines merging in 1969. Both mines were heavily mechanised and followed the Room and Pillar system, rumours were that both mines, equipped with drilling equipment could pull together 20,000 tons of Ironstone in a 5 day working week. With the 80's approaching, the last decade of underground mining in the area and the steel industry worsening, Lynsaughts and Redbourne Works, 2 out of 3 Steelworks in Scunthorpe closing down, aswell as cheaply imported steel from abroad competing with local prices, Santon and Dragonby ceased mining production in 1981. In 2015 however SES Group re-entered Dragonby Mine to carry out essential roof repairs with the repairs also being completed that year. With the exception of SES, the mines have been left derelict and locked for 36 years.
Nowadays: The mine is used by local explorers and also as a off road cycling path due to the nature of the landscape, the rail track a couple meters from the mine is also currently still being used as a freight track for rubbish to be taken to the former Winterton Quarry for Landfill.
I've found some period-esque images of the mines which i'll insert below this sentence.
Photo of the old British Steel Signage.
Excavations Works at Dragonby
Photo's obtained from Britain From Above
Now, time for photos from my visit, access to the site was easy and was definitely worth the explore, however, access into the actual mine is restricted, the iron doors have been bolted shut, apparently alarmed set to British Steel and then fenced off, make no attempt to gain access. Also I've heard of some vent shafts up in the higher woodland area, which I didn't realise until now, might have to go for another explore and update this.
Old Pulley Chain for the Doors.
One Massive space in the Maintenance room, with a free complementary car door..
Looking to the overgrown outside.
Nothing more authentic than Burnt out bike shells.
Entrance to the electrics room, none of the electrical equipment remain.
The second room, much bigger than the first, more likely used for storing Minecarts.
Picture-esque view from the ruined windows.
DRAGONBY MINE, LINCOLNSHIRE.
History: Ironstone mining has been present around the area since the Roman times, but only been rediscovered and exploited in the 19th Century by a chap known as Roland Winn which then lead to the Industrial boom of the bordering town of Scunthorpe, with Steel Production being the head industry, the ironstone and ore was exported from various places including South Yorkshire and Nettleton Top Mines near Caistor with open top quarrying around the area in Winterton and Flixborough. Throughout the 20th Century, experimentation began with underground mining, with Santon Drift Mine created in 1931, after the Second World War, in 1948, Dragonby Drift Mine was created as a relief mine for Santon, with both mines merging in 1969. Both mines were heavily mechanised and followed the Room and Pillar system, rumours were that both mines, equipped with drilling equipment could pull together 20,000 tons of Ironstone in a 5 day working week. With the 80's approaching, the last decade of underground mining in the area and the steel industry worsening, Lynsaughts and Redbourne Works, 2 out of 3 Steelworks in Scunthorpe closing down, aswell as cheaply imported steel from abroad competing with local prices, Santon and Dragonby ceased mining production in 1981. In 2015 however SES Group re-entered Dragonby Mine to carry out essential roof repairs with the repairs also being completed that year. With the exception of SES, the mines have been left derelict and locked for 36 years.
Nowadays: The mine is used by local explorers and also as a off road cycling path due to the nature of the landscape, the rail track a couple meters from the mine is also currently still being used as a freight track for rubbish to be taken to the former Winterton Quarry for Landfill.
I've found some period-esque images of the mines which i'll insert below this sentence.
Photo of the old British Steel Signage.
Excavations Works at Dragonby
Photo's obtained from Britain From Above
Now, time for photos from my visit, access to the site was easy and was definitely worth the explore, however, access into the actual mine is restricted, the iron doors have been bolted shut, apparently alarmed set to British Steel and then fenced off, make no attempt to gain access. Also I've heard of some vent shafts up in the higher woodland area, which I didn't realise until now, might have to go for another explore and update this.
Old Pulley Chain for the Doors.
One Massive space in the Maintenance room, with a free complementary car door..
Looking to the overgrown outside.
Nothing more authentic than Burnt out bike shells.
Entrance to the electrics room, none of the electrical equipment remain.
The second room, much bigger than the first, more likely used for storing Minecarts.
Picture-esque view from the ruined windows.
The remains of the maintenance shell.
The mine doors, taken through the fence.
well...back up the incline we go...
quite the beautiful view, very fallout-esque.
Every lamppost to the mine has been torn down, strange..
Ending this report with a beautiful village shot.
I hope you enjoy this report, feel free to give me any feedback necessary, i'm a first timer so any feedback is appreciated, until I decide to upload another report on places I've been, see ya for now!
