The Dudley canal tour of its caverns is a fascinating cruise into the history of mining and the canals of the 18th century, Limestone, coal and iron ore mines relied on the canals to transport their products. Children worked alongside their parents legging the barges, setting the fuses, making the bricks and loading the cargoes.Life expectancy in the 1780s was 27years due to the high child mortality in industries like mining.
One 'legger', John Ives, could leg a 30ton barge 19miles underneath Birmingham in 3hours before running across the rrface to 'leg' another load half an hour later. He was still 'legging' at the age of 76.
There are hundred of fossils in the Dudley Caverbs of which at least 70 are unique to Dudley.
Pop concerst and Christmas shows are put on in the Cavrens each year.
3 авг 2023
