Air Shaft 2 was created to facilitate the construction of Blea Moor Tunnel and to help ventilate the tunnel during its operational life.
The October 21st, 1871 edition of the Lancaster Guardian provides brief details of the construction and use of this shaft during this early period:
No. 2 shaft is also a permanent shaft, and it has been sunk to foundation level, a depth of 127 yards, and lined throughout. The shaft length has been mined, and it is being lined with brickwork, so that operations will soon be in full force for taking out the tunnel and driving headings. A 16-inch winding-engine is employed to draw up the debris from the tunnel, and a 20 inch engine is fixed for working the pump, which is a 10 inch one, same as No. 1. The water met with varies from 80 to 100 gallons per minute. It is a curious fact that if the tunnel had been required to be of a few feet lower level, a body of water would be met with that a greater amount of pumping power would be required than is at present employed. Engine power is laid down to raise 450 to 500 gallons per minute.