Not a very clear picture but we can make out Glover’s Path and Kilton Mill and on the hillside ’Duck Hole’ pit. It got this name because of the working conditions; it was so wet the men could be ankle deep or more in water while working down there – it’s real name was North Loftus Mine.

Also to be seen in the picture are the remains of the original Whitecliffe mine. North Loftus mine was completely separate and only worked as an independent mine in the 1870s’. Later the shaft was acquired by Skinningrove Iron Co. and used to raise ironstone from Carlin How and Loftus mines, only being infilled about 1947.

Thanks to Simon Chapman for the addition to this post

Bell’s pit, due to its ownership by Bell Brothers, at Carlin How, more popularly known as ”Duck Hole” (because of the very wet working conditions), was towards the end of its working life known as North Loftus Mine.

Another photo of Duckhole mine and once again we can clearly see the works on the hill, come on you people out there what date would this be taken, help a lady (I use the term loosely) out.

My guess would be about 1930.    Thank you Simon what would I do without you?

The image is taken from a series of photographs produced by Bruce who was a Loftus photographer, producing lots of images around old Cleveland. Many considered the name was emphasised because of the link to de Bruce of Skelton Castle and Kilton. THanks to Derick Pearson for the update and information. John

Nice photo, taken this time from Mill Bank. Glover’s Path can be seen as can the buildings to the left of the photo belonging to Whitecliffe mine.  The old railway bridge is very clear, as are the steel works back right.

Carlin How mine was known to the miners as Duck Hole owing to the wet working conditions.

Don’t think the date is 1935 though. Duckhole closed in 1944 and as you can see the headgear has been demolished. The chimney for North Loftus pit can still be seen so my guess for date is about 1950.

Thank you for that information Simon, don’t know what I would do without your input.

Taken from the railway lines above, the picture clearly shows Duckhole in the foreground with Skinningrove or Loftus pit farther down in the valley.

A newspaper cutting showing the underground stables at ”Duckhole” pit (so named because it was one of the wettest pits in the Cleveland System) about 1930-40.  This pit was eventually worked from Lumpsey mine at Brotton.

The horsekeeper was Bob Robinson, who has specially put on his helmet for the picture. That round object at the bottom right of the picture is his cap! (words by Simon Chapman)