The Hibernia
Mine was one of the largest mines in NJ. It was comprised of many
smaller mines, all being linked and accessed through a 4000 foot plus
adit. If your deathly afraid of bats then you should stay clear of this
mine. You certainly wouldnt want to lose your favorite hat, cherished tungsten rings
or pair of expensive sun glasses and then having to go back in
looking for them. I
The adit was
so large that it needed a locomotive in order for the ore transport
to be economical. This was handled by the Hibernia Underground railway,
the only incorporated mine railway in NJ.
Approaching
the mine was interesting, about 200 feet from it, you cal already start
to feel a cold draft in the area.
once near the mine, the velocity and mass of air coming out of it is
astonishing. . We arrived in early August 2005 and we were thinking of
putting on a long sleeved sweater.
The Hibernia
mine is know throughout the northeast not for its rich history, but for
it being one of the most important bat hibernaculum around. it is home
to an estimated 30,000 bats.
The last 80
years, the mine has sat idle. Despite being vandalized, walled up,
sealed, reopened, cemented shut, and dynamited Hibernia's final status
appears to be solidified as a bat home for the rest of its days.
Hibernia Mine in Rockaway, NJ
