Godolphin Mine

Caitlin — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 15:20:10 +0000

Just north of Godolphin Cross and across the road from the main house is the scant remains of some old workings. Hidden in the woods are dips, ditches and overgrown shafts, the only remains of Godolphin Mine.

Records for the area started in the 1600’s, but the mine definitely predates this. The Wheal Dolphin section was bringing up copper and Godolphin was already 90 fathoms (165m) deep; in 1788 it already had a steam engine. In 1790 Wheal Dolphin closed before being absorbed into the main Godolphin sett in 1804, helping to share the removal of water for the benefit of both mines.

1821 saw the addition of Old Mine and was employing over 480 people ten years later. In 1836 both setts were taken up by Captain Teague who spared great expense, roughly £40,000 (£2,712,052 today), to install new engines, however, despite hitting a rich lode the mine closed in 1846. This closure didn’t appear to last long as by 1849 a new shaft was being sunk for a Sim’s engine. From 1861 Godolphin was worked alongside New Great Work, incorporating lodes to the south, but running costs and low tin prices made profits elusive and the mine came to an end.

Shafts

Lodes

Output

Shafts

Lodes

Output

For a mine that once had some many engines at work, if anything remains it’s been long buried in overgrowth. 1786 saw the erection of a 48″ Boulton & Watt pumping engine from Wheal Crenver and by 1808 there were five engines and two water wheels at work, one of which may have been a 63″. In 1819 three whims were put up for sale. Prior to 1840, there were two 80″ pumping engines, a 36″ pumping engine, a 24″ stamps and 16″, 18″ and 24″ whims recorded.

Access

Parking

References

Access

Parking

References

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Godolphin Mine