Monument record 2648/1 - Marston Old Mine

<1> Wharmby, P, 1987, Survey of Abandoned Salt Mine Workings and Brine Shafts in Cheshire (Report). SCH7995.

Desk-based survey undertaken in 1987 to record the remains of Cheshire's salt industry comprising a gazeteer of sites and plans at 1:2500. Described as a bottom bed mine with alternative names of 'Old Bank Marston', 'Marston Great Mine', 'Fletcher and Rigbys Marston Mine' or 'Burns Pit'. Five associated shafts are recorded. It was the first bottom bed mine in the Northwich district and was originally worked from a shaft sunk from the Marston Old Top Bed mine after the discovery of the bottom bed in 1781. The sinking of the other shafts followed soon after. The mine worked an area of 12.90ha and was abandoned in 1924 after rockhead brine entered the shafts. Prior to being abandoned the mine had problems with cracks in the roof and flooding and as early as 1895 an artificial pillar was built to provide additional support. In 1906 the mine was being pumped out twice a week and by 1933 the water shaft collapsed to form a crater. In 1958 the Transport Commission was forced to divert the Trent and Mersey Canal to avoid extending the crater.

<2> Lancaster University Archaeological Unit, 1992, Cheshire Weaver Valley Rolling Programme, An Archaeological Assessment., R2021 (Client Report). SCH4209.

The collapsed area of the water shaft was recorded in 1992 as part of an archaeological assessment undertaken for Cheshire Weaver Valley Rolling Programme.

<3> Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust Archaeological Unit, 1993, Cheshire (Weaver Valley) Rolling Programme: Archaeological Site Investigation, R2055 (Client Report). SCH4208.

The oldest mine in the area and possibly the oldest rock salt mine in England. Site of the first steam engine to be used in the area (1789). Sources are contradictory and complex. Appears on Marston Parish Plan of 1846 as an accumulation of buildings in field 52. An undated plan and inventory of the Salt Union Ltd states it consisted of lands, salt works, rock salt mine, rock houses, storehouses, 11 pans, pan houses, storehouse, brine reservoirs, 8 cottages. It was closed around 1910. Was used as a store for picric acid expolosive in the 1st World War. In 1913 the water shaft was 9ft in diameter and 98ft deep, much rubbish had collected at the bottom, and the building which once stood over the shaft was demolished. It has suffered considerable subsidence and is described as being at present in a state of 'wholesale collapse'.