4th September 1935
This is one of several pots or swallets on the flat ground above Oxlow Cavern. Several of these holes were examined superficially and most of them gave every promise of opening out after a little excavation had been done.
In August 1930 we concentrated on the most likely one named Nettle Pot (owing to the great quantity of nettles round it) and being chiefly noticeable by the appearance of a grass grown gully about 2 feet deep and 4 feet wide. Leading down to a chink in the ground.
The first examination was carried out by our hands only, and on pulling away loose stones at the entrance, a hole about 12 inches wide was discovered down which small stones dropped several feet. As the place was surrounded with grass, nettles and stones, a shot was put in the top which blew out a fair amount of stuff and opened up a fairly wide hole about 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep. On being cleared, distinct traces of it having been a water swallet came to light.
Deep channels were worn out of the rock through water action, and a considerable quantity of dirt and stones had to be removed before a man could descend any depth. Several shots had to be put in and the results of these was brought to the surface by the aid of a bucket and pulley. Unfortunately there was not much room in which to work down below.
About 20 feet down, bones were found and brought to the surface, but unfortunately a number of these and any other remains, had been mixed up in a dump of mud on the surface, and the mud being so tenacious, it was difficult to notice anything small.
On reaching the depth of about 30 feet, the place widened a little more and room was available for working. At the 30 feet level a watercourse branched off about north but was too narrow to follow, although stones appeared to go a fair distance.
A few feet below, a large chockstone was wedged in our way. The passage still continued to drop vertically and 5 pills of gelignite were put in with the idea of shattering the chock. The passage, judging by stones dropped at the side of the chock, appeared to continue for 20 or 30 feet.
On examining the result the result of our shot, we found the stone cracked and gradually the passage was opened until the ladder could be lowered down the side. This process was repeated several times until a depth of about 50 feet was reached where it was found the loose serrated sides of the pot changed to solid rock, bearing shallow water worn flutes, the walls not being more than 12 inches apart. Gradually the approach of these narrows cleared, and finally in 1931, they were descended. Below was found two alcoves on opposite sides of the main line of descent which continued down to a bell shaped chamber some 10 feet in diameter with an uneven floor of fallen debris.
Some 12 months work was necessary to go through this floor, but in October 1933, descents were made on a 100 feet ladder which failed to reach the bottom of the bottle shaped shaft. Further clearing and stempling in the chamber were then undertaken in 1933 and early 1934 and descents were made to the next level 100 feet below the bell chamber. It was here found that there was a horizontal floor in which were a number of holes and shafts, of which rough maps and sketches were made. Two members descended on June 3rd at a special meet, a further 200 feet.
On Saturday and Sunday 21/22 1934, the first official club meet was held at Nettle Pot, it being now sufficiently extensive to need more than a working party.
1934:
- May 27th: Flat reached.
- June 3rd: Special. Chasm reached. Two members 200 feet lower without reaching bottom.
- July 21st: Flat explored and clay pit reached.
Derbyshire Pennine Club 