Underground Adventure

Author: A. Gemmel and J.O. Myers

Publisher: Mendip Publishing, 1990

ISBN 0-90590-319-6

One of the finest books written about Yorkshire caves, Underground Adventure describes a number of new explorations in which the authors were involved, undertaken during the late 1930s and the 1940s.

The book has a number of attractions to the modern reader. It describes the discovery and explorations of some of the Dales classic caves. The prose style of both authors manage to communicate the excitement and satisfaction of breaking into new ground. Jack Myers’ photographs captured some of the sights which have now disappeared for ever – including the twin stalactites in the Disappointment Pot inlet into Hensler’s Master Cave. The accounts of the Lancaster Hole and Easegill discoveries provide an insight into the impact of Eli Simpson’s dictatorial approach to the exploration of the system on the Yorkshire caving world. Not least, the accounts breathe personality into the names of many of the renowned cavers of that generation – including Eric Hensler, Bob Leakey, Eli Simpson, and George Cornes.

The main explorations described are:


 * Little Hull Pot
 * Hull Pot
 * Simpson’s Pot
 * Hensler’s Master Cave
 * Notts Pot
 * Pikedaw Caverns
 * Lancaster Hole
 * Oxford Pot

This book was first published (one edition only) in 1952 by Dalesman Publishing Company. It was republished in facsimile by Mendip Publishing in 1990.