Dominicks Shaft commenced 1863 & named for Sir Dominick Daly, Governor of South Australia: map of connection to Ryans Engine. Moonta Mines National Heritage Area, Yorke Peninsula
Dominicks Shaft, commenced in 1863, was named after Sir Dominick Daly, Governor of South Australia during the period 1862–68. It was the principal shaft on McDonnells Lode and reached a depth of 265 metres.
The shaft was sunk vertically from the surface until it intersected the lode at a depth of 43 metres. From there it was sunk on the underlay, following the lode which dipped at about 45 degrees to the northwest.
Initially, underground water was removed from the shaft by kibbles (ore buckets) but, in December 1864, pumps were installed and connected to Ryans Engine, 200 metres distant, by flat rods, a line of wooden rods running on rollers mounted on vertical stands. The creaking and groaning of flat rods was a distinctive feature of their use.
Dominicks Shaft commenced 1863 & named for Sir Dominick Daly, Governor of South Australia: map of connection to Ryans Engine. Moonta Mines National Heritage Area, Yorke Peninsula
Dominicks Shaft, commenced in 1863, was named after Sir Dominick Daly, Governor of South Australia during the period 1862–68. It was the principal shaft on McDonnells Lode and reached a depth of 265 metres.
The shaft was sunk vertically from the surface until it intersected the lode at a depth of 43 metres. From there it was sunk on the underlay, following the lode which dipped at about 45 degrees to the northwest.
Initially, underground water was removed from the shaft by kibbles (ore buckets) but, in December 1864, pumps were installed and connected to Ryans Engine, 200 metres distant, by flat rods, a line of wooden rods running on rollers mounted on vertical stands. The creaking and groaning of flat rods was a distinctive feature of their use.