Update: On Digging colonial wells!!(Pictures Included)!

X-Splenda · Sep 22, 2009

the hole was measured.. it is 15 feet deep...... the rock in the middle is wedged in pretty good...
and the bars are safe.... what do you think about the pictures??
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/6393/dsc02882y.jpg
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6013/dsc02881bv.jpg
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/6339/dsc02880u.jpg
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/6461/dsc02879j.jpg

Sgt_C · Sep 22, 2009

Cool !!!

X-Splenda · Sep 22, 2009

Im ready for the dig in 1-2 week's
just got to buy a a emegency ladder.... and a few ropes
further updates will come

crazyjarhead · Sep 22, 2009

Boy if that was a wishing well could you imagine what's in the bottom?? Hope you can get into it safely. Please keep updated. Who knows what's in the bottom of that well ::)

allen · Sep 23, 2009

let one of your enemies go in first
in case their are poisonus snakes
or some other type of varmint.

kc10bull · Sep 23, 2009

That's interesting with the rope around the rock

I think to hold the bars in place. But I know if it was me. I would be down there digging it out!!!! Again being cautious as to digging, but it wil be interesting to see what you pull out of there. It looks to me like a perfect place to hide, or stash some treasure. Let us know how you plan to proceed and please post more pics if you go into recovery mode. Have some friends help you out, it will make it easier.

Newt · Sep 23, 2009

Looks very promising.
Newt

truckinbutch · Sep 23, 2009

You are in much better shape than many of us experienced hands envisioned from your first posts with no pictures .
Well appears to be in good shape , well curbed , and dry . All in your favor . Air at 15' in a dry place should'nt be a problem . Emergency ladder is also a good idea .
I would carry in a light comalong and 3 treated 4x4's for a tripod and get that rock out if there before I descended . Once I was done in the well I would use the timbers and rock to cover the well to
keep others safe .
This is not an idle thought . We once lost several good dogs and almost a fellow coon hunter to an abandoned water well .
Take a friend for safety and tell us of your finds :icon_thumright:

slykatt13 · Sep 24, 2009

if you use the ladder,bring a stick and poke the ground at the bottom of the well.years of sediment build up and leaves.could be like a false top.when i was younger.there was a well similar in the woods buy my house.the bottom looked very solid.we threw in a big rock.it went(thud) then dissapeared.be careful and good luck

Bartman · Sep 24, 2009

I think you are good to go. I would tie a rope around that rock though and tie it to a tree with very little give, that way if it would fall it wouldn't fall on you. Despite what everyone says I'd go for it. Obviously, check for a false bottom and have a safety rope. I'd want an air hose to just in case. Good luck.

Miningtown · Sep 24, 2009

I'd invest in a good chain and wrap it around that rock, then a tree...that rope won't hold that rock if it decides to move.. once that is done..check the bottom and go for it and post the pics.. and as others said..take or tell a friend and bring a cell phone!

spartacus53 · Sep 24, 2009

I am just curious to see what you find there :dontknow:

pitbullfan · Sep 24, 2009

I'm with skycat...main thing i'd be worried of is a false bottom. Just test it first before jumping to the bottom. Also have a person with you to hoist you out if need be, or god forbid...go get help.

Otherwise dig on man.

shanko · Sep 25, 2009

my imagination had me a little worried based on your first two posts, but after seeing the pics i'll just say be safe/wish i was there!

Shanko

diggemall · Sep 25, 2009

Just to be on the safe side, I would seriously consider wearing a safety harness - that well had water in it at one time - why doesn't it appear to now ? If there is a false bottom built up of decaying debris, any "water" beneath that would likely be horrific to be splasing around in for ANY length of time. I know its not exactly the same, but farmers that fall into liquid manure ponds do not usually live to tell about it. That concoction starts eating the flesh off their bones VERY quickly.

Diggem'

SteveDodds · Sep 28, 2009

Those pics look a lot better than the pics I had in my mind. Good luck and strike it rich.

dirtyJohn · Sep 29, 2009

Neat pictures. I don't know if I'd try to remove the stone in the middle. I'm wondering if it could've been placed there on purpose to support the sides of the well. Be careful and good luck.
HH
John