Lost in "Nick a Jack" Cave, Tennessee

[John Hartwell]

The now-flooded "Nick a Jack" Cave in Marion County, Tenn. was mined for saltpeter (courtesy of a large colony of bats) first by the Confederates, then by the Federals. But, it was also a dangerous place for the unwary, as per the attached article in the Gallipolis Journal (Ohio), of 29 October 1863:

 

[Sheltowee]

Great story. Thanks for sharing

 

[John Hartwell]

It's lucky for the two men that their friends knew they were in there. The two rebels were probably put down as deserters, and their families shamed.

 

[Lubliner]

That is a cool report (57 degrees or thereabouts).
Lubliner.

 

[Robert Gray]

Ruins of saltpeter works in Tennessee. I believe this is a wartime photo of "Nick a Jack" Cave.
Image: THE PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR
Frances T. Miller - Editor in Chief - The Review of Reviews Co. 1911

 

[John Hartwell]

Ruins of saltpeter works in Tennessee. I believe this is a wartime photo of "Nick a Jack" Cave.
Image: THE PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR
Frances T. Miller - Editor in Chief - The Review of Reviews Co. 1911

View attachment 454627

Looks like it. Here's the entrance since the TVA did their bit:

 

[DixieRifles]

Interesting but frightening. I accompanied my daughter's Church youth group some 20 years ago on a spelunking trip in a cave in middle Tennessee. It required crawling on our belly and walking a narrow ledge between two walls. We made it to a large cavern room where we rested. The air was thick and seemed press in on you. We started again. About 15 minutes later a ~50 year old man had a heart attack. We scrambled out of there as fast as we could to allow the first responders to make their way down.
I never wanted to do that again.

 

[Mrs. V]

Terrifying! I cannot imagine being lost in a cave. I suspect I'd find caving too clostrophobic.

 

[donna]

Interesting. Been in many a cave. Always enjoyed touring them I guess one of favorites is Mammoth Cave. Been in it many times. First time with my parents when I was 13 years old. Been in several caves in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee and Virginia.

 

[John Hartwell]

Interesting. Been in many a cave. Always enjoyed touring them I guess one of favorites is Mammoth Cave. Been in it many times. First time with my parents when I was 13 years old. Been in several caves in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee and Virginia.

My ex-wife and I stopped at Mammoth Cave on our honeymoon (1977, yeesh!). I lasted almost 15 minutes before I had to leave -- fast!. No matter how big the cavern, I could feel the weight of the stone pressing down on me, and my heart was beating so hard I thought everyone must be hearing it. I never anticipated such a reaction ... it's almost as if Mammoth Cave caused my claustrophobia. It's so bad now that an MRI is pure torture.

 

[uaskme]

Here is a little post Civil War History of the cave.

A Southern Writer's Journal: Johnny Cash at Nickajack

But in 1967, the music men in Nashville were saying that the Man in Black was through. He stood six foot two, weighed 150 pounds and had long been strung out on cocaine, pills and booze. Johnny Cash was sick.

www.chattanoogapulse.com

 

[lupaglupa]

Do cavers dive in the cave now?

 

[Will Carry]

Beware of the Black Damp.

 

[Lubliner]

Looks like it. Here's the entrance since the TVA did their bit:
View attachment 454628

Since this picture was taken a chain link fence now guards the entrance so boaters cannot enter. No Trespassing signs are fully visible.
Lubliner.

 

[Carol]

Since this picture was taken a chain link fence now guards the entrance so boaters cannot enter. No Trespassing signs are fully visible.
Lubliner.

Yes, I think it's been that way now for years.

 

[Lubliner]

Yes, I think it's been that way now for years.

At least 15 years now that I am aware of, and probably longer.
Lubliner.