Morse's Level is a semi live coal mine near Howbeech in the Forest of Dean. Mainly worked up until about 1920 it was reopened by a bunch of guys in the 70s or thereabouts and is still occasionally worked. In some places it is possible to get down to the Howbeech levels but the water level was up. We had someone with us with a safety lamp as there have been instances of bad air down there.
Upper Entrance. YOu can see the warm moist air issuing out.
Main Entrance
This was a steam engine but is now run on compressed air
Drainage pipes awaiting use
Just inside the entrance
Looking back out. The ladder connects to the upper entrance and the original Morse's level
Further in and down
This is in the upper levels looking back towards the ladder. The roof here is the Pennant Limestone and is pretty solid.
This points the way to the upper entrance. My back was crucifying me by this point as the mine is specially dug to be that exactly wrong height for me, so I didn't go to the upper entrance and stretched out for a while instead.
Fungus on a block of wood
This shows the faulting in the rock. THe black band is coal and you can see where the beds have shifted.
Upper Entrance. YOu can see the warm moist air issuing out.
![MorsesLevel001.jpg MorsesLevel001.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/31/31278-MorsesLevel001.jpg)
Main Entrance
![MorsesLevel005.jpg MorsesLevel005.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/31/31279-MorsesLevel005.jpg)
![MorsesLevel006.jpg MorsesLevel006.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/31/31280-MorsesLevel006.jpg)
This was a steam engine but is now run on compressed air
![MorsesLevel007.jpg MorsesLevel007.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/31/31281-MorsesLevel007.jpg)
Drainage pipes awaiting use
![MorsesLevel008.jpg MorsesLevel008.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/31/31282-MorsesLevel008.jpg)
Just inside the entrance
![MorsesLevel009.jpg MorsesLevel009.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/31/31283-MorsesLevel009.jpg)
Looking back out. The ladder connects to the upper entrance and the original Morse's level
![MorsesLevel013.jpg MorsesLevel013.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/31/31284-MorsesLevel013.jpg)
Further in and down
![MorsesLevel014.jpg MorsesLevel014.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/31/31285-MorsesLevel014.jpg)
This is in the upper levels looking back towards the ladder. The roof here is the Pennant Limestone and is pretty solid.
![MorsesLevel018.jpg MorsesLevel018.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/31/31286-MorsesLevel018.jpg)
This points the way to the upper entrance. My back was crucifying me by this point as the mine is specially dug to be that exactly wrong height for me, so I didn't go to the upper entrance and stretched out for a while instead.
![MorsesLevel020.jpg MorsesLevel020.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/31/31287-MorsesLevel020.jpg)
Fungus on a block of wood
![MorsesLevel021.jpg MorsesLevel021.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/31/31288-MorsesLevel021.jpg)
This shows the faulting in the rock. THe black band is coal and you can see where the beds have shifted.
![MorsesLevel022.jpg MorsesLevel022.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/31/31289-MorsesLevel022.jpg)