Crank Caverns facts for kids
Crank Caverns is the popular name for an old quarry near Crank in St. Helens, England. It's a cool place with many tunnels and caves, surrounded by a big woodland area. People started digging for sandstone here as early as 1730.
At first, they dug stone from the surface. But buying more land became too expensive. So, they changed their method. Instead of digging from the top, they started mining underground. They followed the stone seams deep into the earth. This is how the network of caves, tunnels, and shafts we see today was created.
By 1854, the Rainford Delph quarry was known as a coal mine. It was owned by Charles Howarth. Mining finally stopped, and the woods and caverns became a game reserve for the Earl of Derby. This lasted until 1939.
During World War II, the caverns were used for a very important job. They became a storage place for ammunition. This ammunition was for the anti-aircraft guns in Crank. After the war, the caverns were no longer used as a game reserve.
Today, Crank Caverns are not officially open to the public. The tunnels are becoming unstable, so people have tried to block access. However, you can still reach the site from a nearby public footpath. Many curious local people still visit to explore. They often know the many myths and legends about the caverns from a young age.
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Exploring the Caverns
The mines at Crank Caverns are an example of something called pillar and stall mining. This is a way of mining where miners leave pillars of stone in place. These stone pillars help to hold up the roof of the tunnels.
There are two main sets of caverns. The first set is the easiest to spot. It has seven openings that lead down into a large cave. At the back and to the left of this main cave, there used to be a pathway. This pathway was sealed off in 1948. Beyond this sealed path, there is a much larger network of tunnels. It is possible to get into these deeper tunnels from a secure spot.
The second set of caves is located to the north-west of the first set. These caves are at the bottom of a deep ditch. One of them is just a short tunnel. The other leads into a deeper system of caves. The entrance to these deeper caves is now gated.
Myths and Legends of Crank Caverns
Many exciting and mysterious stories are told about Crank Caverns. These tales have been passed down through generations.
The Secret Church Story
One well-known story says that during the Protestant Reformation, local Catholics used the caverns. They were trying to escape from King Henry VIII (who lived from 1491 to 1547). The story claims they held secret church services there. However, this is just a legend. Mining at the quarry only started around 1730, much later than King Henry VIII's time.
Long Tunnels and Strange Hangings
Some stories claim the caves stretch for miles. They say the tunnels go to places like Up Holland in Lancashire, Church of St Mary, Lowe House in St. Helens, and Moss Bank in St. Helens. Another strange story says there was a tunnel about seven miles long. It supposedly ran from St Helens Town Hall all the way to Crank Caverns. This tunnel was supposedly used for secret hangings.
The Vicious Dwarves
Perhaps the most famous and spooky legend is about "vicious dwarves." People once whispered that these small, bearded creatures lived in a maze of caverns at Crank.
In the late 1700s, four children decided to explore the sandstone caves. Sadly, three of them vanished. Only one child survived. He told a terrifying story. He said small, old men with beards killed his three friends and chased him. The scared child stumbled over human bones in the caves. He finally managed to scramble through a small opening to the surface. As he escaped, a hand grabbed at his ankle.
The authorities became worried because several people had gone missing near the cave entrances. Two soldiers, carrying weapons and torches, went down into the caverns. They claimed they found a pile of human bones. They also said they found the ruins of an ancient church. No one knew what kind of church it was. Inside, the church was lit by three large candles. Strange, ugly gargoyles were part of an altar.
As the soldiers explored the underground, they felt like they were being watched. They also heard voices speaking in a language they didn't understand. After a second investigation, the caves were either sealed by a collapse or by using gunpowder. This put an end to the mysterious disappearances and the legends of the dwarves.
