The E-Shapped hoist foundation is probably for an electric hoist, two for the main shaft bearings, one for the electric motor and MG sets. That or a double drum hoist has three sets of bearings and two clutches, which is probably what No. 3 Shaft had. The third picture is of the backleg foundations, or the batter braces, the sit inline with the hoist to help counter the forces on the headfame at the sheave elecation. The tram car is neat, Ill have to checkit out in person to see what type it is… Finally the 5th picture does appear to be the collar with a cap, it looks like a typical C&H Cap, slab on top of the collar for easy removal incase they descide to go back down the shaft. One of the reason C&h probably didn’t go back down No, 3 was the fact that it is such a small shaft, it doesnt offer allot of ventillation of flexibility.

Thanks Joe. I had assumed by the ruins that exist today that C&H primarily used the No. 6 shaft to access this lode when they re-opened it in the 50’s. (the remains at No. 6 are clearly the same pre-fab type as we’ve seen at No. 13, Centennial and Kingston) The presence of an electric hoist here would seem to suggest otherwise so perhaps it did have a double drum hoist like you thought. What’s odd is why the No. 3 is so different then the No. 4 and No. 5, which both have the classic “H” shape.

Its also interesting the use of those backleg foundations, since we haven’t seen many other examples at other mines. (the only one that I can think of off hand is at Champion #4) I wonder if there was something unique to the design of either the hoist or headframe here that would make these necessary. Or perhaps we just didn’t notice them before.

I’m not sure, on the use of No.3 in the 1950’s venture, however the use of a double drum or an electric does’t mean its newer, double drums were used during the time period that No.3 was used and so were electric hoists. All of the subshafts in the calumet lode were electric so it may have been one of the erlier electrics. As far as the backlegs go, Quincy No. 2 has them, and Centennial No. 3, as did most of the head frames on the Oscola, there are a few visible as you are heading down 41 along the Osceola shafts (14+/-) to 22,k the reason you probably dont see them is they were probably destroyed in demolition in most situations. It depended on the design, and the stresses the headframes were subjected to.

I spotted this photo online
and noticed the mine situated between numbers 11 and 12 S. Hecla mines is labeled number 6 Osceola. Is this actually the number 1 Osceola and not the number 6 Osceola?

Also, Was the photo taken from a structure or from high ground?

That Osceola #6 was not in line with the Hecla Shafts, it was on a different vein and is actually farther away. Osceola #13 was to the north of the #6. Here’s a link to a better photo to look at, but a bigger version.

You can see in this bigger photo, Osceola Number 13 is directly behind Hecla #9/10.
Funny how that photo is a cropped version of this bigger one, hate when people do that.

I am guessing it was taken off the old Swedetown Water Tank

I’m not sure what cropping has to do with the name/number of the shaft labeled as number 6 Osceola in the photo. The question is: Does anyone know the correct name/number of the shaft labeled as Osceola number 6?

Ross…

The photo is labeled incorrectly as you suspected. Osceola labeled their shafts from north to south, roughly following along Tecumseh Road. Osceola No. 6 would of been far off to the right in the photo. The one incorrectly marked as No. 6 is probably the No. 1. But it could also be the No. 2, if the No. 1 is in fact hiding behind the South Hecla No. 11 in the photo.

I think Gordy is right, the photo was probably taken from the Swedetown water tower, but it’s possible that the Swedetown hill is tall enough on its own to provide this view.

Thanks Mike. I appreciate the info. Ross

Sorry Ross, I got off the subject.
When C&H reopened the Osceola Lode up in the 1950’s, the New Osceola #13 was on the north end. This was actually th old C&H #13. So the #13 behind the #9 & 10 shaft is actually a C&H mine.
The original Osceola #6 on the south end was also reopened with a new surface plant. So the shaft you were looking at is probably the #1 shaft.
The view is off the water tank at Swedetown, seeing as its above the roofs of the homes there.
So hard to believe all this mining going on there, I lived a block and a half from the New Osceola #13 and could watch the skips coming up out our kitchen window.

Thanks for the info Gordy. I also like to see as much of the surroundings in a picture as possible. I matched the Calumet pics up as best as possible and it does give a greater appreciation of the mining industry in this area. http://www.geocities.com/rossnheather@sbcglobal.net/Calumet.html

Very nice, Ross!

Way cool Ross!!!

I was looking at Michigan Techs archives, Ross had asked where the photos of the Osceola and Hecla Mines were taken from, the Archives have those photos and put on the description they were taken from the Swedetown water tank.