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Image Owner: munki @ Shootability.co.uk
Old Smokey
An underground 19th Century brick flue system on the Bolton side of Winter Hill. Entrance is made through an opening on a hillside that appears to be part of the original construction. The entrance is mid way along the flue, we will explore the left section first. Some fallen bricks reveal the structure to be formed from an interesting double layer of bricks.
Image Owner: munki @ Shootability.co.uk
Long section of the flue system
After some distance a bend is reached. Masses of black soot coat the tunnel walls and massive drifts of soot cover the floor, this has been washed away in channels by water seeping into the structure from the soil above. The soot sparkles in the torchlight where water drops from the ceiling have formed the soot into strange spires. Roots from plants protrude from the ceiling and walls, in some place forcing bricks out. Where the soot has been washed away, a brick floor of similar construction to the walls is revealed.
Image Owner: munki @ Shootability.co.uk
Collapsed tunnel ceiling
After the bend the tunnel continues on until a collapse prevents further exploration. The tunnel ceiling has been breached, probably intentionally to prevent access.
Image Owner: munki @ Shootability.co.uk
Heading back to explore the right hand section of the flue tunnel
Image Owner: munki @ Shootability.co.uk
Underground 19th Century Flue System
The right hand section of the flue system starts with a corrugated metal ceiling that is supported by stout wooden beams. This seems to have been cut into the brickwork as an alteration to the original construction. After a short distance the tunnel becomes square in section.
Image Owner: munki @ Shootability.co.uk
The flue branches
At the end of the flue tunnel the flue spits into two smaller tunnels, both blocked by probably intentional collapses. The ceiling just before the split is constructed from metal beams. The left branch appears to travel upwards, probably towards the chimney. The right branch seems to travel downwards, the purpose of this is unknown.
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