The post Craddock Moor Mine appeared first on Explore Cornwall.
]]>On the edge of Craddock Moor a short distance from the village of Minions are the two chimneys of Craddock Moor Mine.
Following the success of neighbours South Caradon and West Caradon, Craddock Moor mine was started in 1844 by Captain Nance.Unfortunately this attempt, and the one afterwards in 1846 suffered the same fate. It wasn’t until 1854 when 22 people were employed that it really got started and an engine house was installed.
The mine quickly grew and by 1861 was employing 230 people, however this was short lived. Production started to decline just three years later and only 160 were employed. During the early 1870’s South Caradon took on 20 of the men, and while it was still producing ore it was put up for sale in 1873. With no-one coming forward to take over the mine, it closed the following year. A small amount of prospecting was done at some point between 1907 and 1916, but little came of this.
Harris’ (100 fathoms/182m), Edmund’s/Main (100 fathoms/182m) and Fox’s.
Menadue, Vivian’s, Dunstan’s, Gilpin’s and an unnamed lode.
1856-74
20,080 tons of 7.75% copper.
Craddock Moor mine had three engine houses in its life. The first was a 16″ engine installed in 1854 and was likely a small indoor beam rotatory engine. Next to be installed was the 24″ do-it-all engine installed on Edmund’s shaft. This pumped, wound and crushed, but little remains but its chimney and the base of the house and its loadings.
Lastly, was a 24″ pumping and winding engine erected in 1865 on Harris’ shaft. The chimney for this house has been well restored, but the house is a pile of rubble.
The whole mine site is free to visit and sits on common land. Just be mindful of sheep and other animals grazing nearby.
There is amble free parking in the village of Minions.
Nance, D., Brown, K. and Clarke, T. (2019) A Complete Guide to the Engine Houses of Mid-Cornwall. Lydney: Lightmoor Press.
Sharpe, A. (1989) The Minions Survey Part 2. Truro. Available at: http://map.cornwall.gov.uk/reports_event_record/1989/1989R019.pdf.
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]]>The post West Caradon Mine appeared first on Explore Cornwall.
]]>Following the discovery of copper rich ground in the Seaton Valley below Caradon Hill, great efforts were made to exploit the reserves here. With the initial success of its neighbour South Caradon, it was inevitable that the western sections of these lodes were not investigated and it’s unfortunate that little remains of this equally successful mine, muting its importance in the history of this area.
Work started on this side of the valley around 1837, just four years after the first adit was dug on South Caradon’s side of the valley. The first pumping engine must have been erected by 1843 as this was the year disaster struck, with the death of one miner who was killed by the descending bob of a 30″ engine. By the following year Elliot’s shaft was started, with a new 50″ pumping engine from Gill and Co’s Tavistock Ironworks being installed. In 1845 there were 553 people employed, a number that didn’t drop for the next ten years; through the 1850’s the production surpassed that of South Caradon at some points.
However, through the 1860’s the work had to continuously move west as the ground became exhausted. Almost half of the number of employees were on the site at this point and in 1869 some of the engines were put up for sale. Work was focused around Marina shaft, but all last attempts to salvage the sett were unsuccessful and the rest of the engines were put up for sale in 1874.
In 1880 a new venture was started called New West Caradon mine which worked alongside West Caradon. Plagued by low copper prices and the reliance on South Caradon’s pumping to help unwater their shared lodes, it had to be abandoned in 1885.
Elliot’s (80 fathoms/146m), Footway, Hallett’s (50 fathoms/91m), Fox’s, Couch’s (104 fathoms/190m), Marina’s (66 fathoms/121m) and Rickard’s (17 fathoms/31m).
Taylor’s, Gilpin’s, Kitford’s, Dunstan’s, Vivian’s North, Vivian’s South, Menadue, Main/Allan’s, Clymo’s and Jope’s.
1843-86
91,700 tons (93,171,502 kg) of 9.5% copper
1881-6
265 tons (269,252 kg) of 6.5% copper
Despite the scant remains that are left on the site, West Caradon Mine had a large number of engine houses. The first was the 30″ pumping engine erected in 1843, followed by a 20″ whim and 30″ stamps and crusher installed the year after. In 1854 the 50″ pumping engine and 22″ horizontal whim were erected on the new Elliot’s shaft, the chimney and footings of which remain, respectively. Another 30″ pumping engine was installed on Hallett’s shaft in 1860, with a 24″ whim being added five years later. During the final reworking as New West Caradon, an 18″ whim engine and crusher was bought.
Unlike nearly every other mine in the area, there is no right of way to view the remains of engine house. A public footpath does cross through the waste dumps, giving you a good view of the chimney, however it does appear that access to the house’s remains is common place.
There is plenty of free parking in Minions.
Brown, K. and Acton, B. (2007) Exploring Cornish Mines: Volume Two. 2nd edn. Truro: Landfall Publications.
Dines, H. G. (1956) The metalliferous mining regions of south-west England. British Geological Survey.
Nance, D., Brown, K. and Clarke, T. (2019) A Complete Guide to the Engine Houses of Mid-Cornwall. Lydney: Lightmoor Press.
Sharpe, A. (1989) The Minions Survey Part 2. Truro. Available at: http://map.cornwall.gov.uk/reports_event_record/1989/1989R019.pdf.
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]]>The post South Caradon Mine appeared first on Explore Cornwall.
]]>All along the southern side of Caradon Hill are the extensive remains of South Caradon Mine.
Holman’s (New Engine) 70″ pumping engine.
Unlike other areas of Cornwall where mining dates back to antiquity under the Old Men, the history of the Caradon area is a much more recent one. Though there is evidence of tin streaming and no mind appears to have been given to the potential for more ore underneath the ground until the 1830’s. Once work did begin, it didn’t take long before this whole area became one of the most profitable in the county, at times outstripping some much more famous mines further west.
The 50″ pumping engine on Sump shaft.
In 1833 a new adit was being driven by Captain James Clymo, striking rich copper. The actual mine itself was recorded three years later, starting its short but very profitable career. By 1846 the mine was reached by the Liskeard and Caradon Railway, joining it with the Liskeard and Looe Union Canal.
With its unique buttresses, this is the 50″ pumping engine on Pearce’s shaft.
Throughout the 1850’s and 60’s South Caradon mine hit its heyday. During this period over 600 people were employed over its extensive sett as it quickly became the third largest producer in Cornwall, raising over 165,000 tons of ore in 1868. South Caradon Mine had over a dozen steam engines, shafts over 200 fathoms deep, with miles of levels, stopes and cross-cuts. It’s sheer size was the only thing that appeared to save the mine during a slump in copper prices during the next five years. However, despite its continued high copper output, the prices remained very low and its financial security was under threat. In 1880 work stopped.
On the right is all that’s left of the 40″ pumping engine on Rule’s shaft, to the left is the remains of the 24″ whim which served both Rule’s and Holman’s shafts.
In 1883 after stumping up £16,125 (£1,067,228 now) to by the old machinery, South Caradon Ltd was formed to try and rework the former mine. Many of the old engines needed substantial refurbishment, and this venture was short lived, coming to a close just five years later. The final attempt was in 1888 when it was worked alongside many of its neighbours under Glasgow Caradon Co Ltd to try and capitalise on rising copper prices, but this only lasted for two years.
Two views of the pumping engine house on Jope’s shaft which once housed a 60″ engine.
Jope’s (140 fathoms/256m), Sump/ Old Engine (250 fathoms/457m), Pearce’s (100 fathoms/183m), Clymo’s (120 fathoms/219m), Kitto’s (SE on Caunter lode: 210 fathoms/384m; NW on Kitford’s lode: 110 fathoms/201m; N on flat dip: 60 fathoms/110m), Rule’s (180 fathoms/329m) and New Engine/Holman’s (230 fathoms/421m).
Caunter, Main/Allan’s, Clyma’s, Jope’s, Kitford’s and Holman’s/South Kitto’s.
1838-1885
224,656 tons (228,261,034 kg) of 10% copper (Nance, Brown and Clarke)
or
217,820 tons (221,315,338 kg) of 10% copper (Dines).
The remains of the 30″ stamps engine chimney
South Caradon Mine had a lot of engine houses and many of them have an interesting history.
Jope's Shaft
Pumping Engine
Originally built in the 1850’s for a Sim Engine (one of only four left in Cornwall), this was replaced by a 60″ in 1862. This engine dates from 1855 where it was at work at South Garras mine.
Whim Engine
Bought from St Blazey Foundry in 1863, this 23″ whim started work in 1864. In 1872 it was modified by William West to drive a man engine which was eventually moved to Kitto’s shaft in 1884.
Kitto's Shaft
Whim Engine
Erected on the shaft between 1882-3 with a 22″ engine.
Pumping Engine
A 35″ pumping engine, of which parts of the bob wall remains. This was erected between 1862-4.
Man Engine
This was a 23″ engine which originally came from Jope’s shaft in 1883.
Kitto’s shaft was actually composed of three different shafts with the same collar; these went in three different directions to reach separate lodes.
Pearce's Shaft
Pumping Engine
A 50″ engine was erected on this shaft in 1870 and came from Harvey’s of Hayle. This is a unique little engine in that it has two buttresses, built this way because the shaft was sunk at an angle away from the house, the reason for which is a mystery.
Sump Shaft
Pumping Engine
A 45″ engine was erected here in 1837, but was later upgraded to a 50″ sometime after 1863.
Whim Engine
This was a 22″ West engine that was likely erected in 1840 to start work in 1844. This also pumped from Pearce’s shaft via flatrods until the pumping engine was built here.
Rule's Shafts
Pumping Engine
A 40″ engine was erected in 1863. Only part of the house remains due to another military demolition exercise, which has struct other mines (Killifreth, Wheal Busy and Boswedden).
Whim Engine
This was a 24″ horizontal single cylinder engine which had two winding drums so that it could serve both Rule’s and Holman’s shafts.
Holman's Shaft
This was a 70″ Harvey’s engine erected in 1875 to help the older engine on Rule’s shaft to drain the deeper parts of the mine.
Stamps Engine
At the bottom of the sett alongside the river is the lone chimney which once belonged to a 30″ stamps engine. This was erected in 1862 to replace a 26″ stamps from 1844 to drive 24 heads of stamps.
The whole of the mine is free for everyone to access along public footpaths and common land. As it’s common land, there are plenty of free-range sheep around, so be mindful if you take a dog with you to view these beauties.
There is plenty of free parking in the village of Minions.
Brown, K. and Acton, B. (2007) Exploring Cornish Mines: Volume Two. 2nd edn. Truro: Landfall Publications.
Dines, H. G. (1956) The metalliferous mining regions of south-west England. British Geological Survey.
Hamilton-Jenkin, A. K. (1966) Mines and Miners of Cornwall: XII Around Liskeard. Truro: Truro Bookshop.
Nance, D., Brown, K. and Clarke, T. (2019) A Complete Guide to the Engine Houses of Mid-Cornwall. Lydney: Lightmoor Press.
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]]>Standing on its lonesome on Craddock Moor is the remains of a small working with the remains of one engine house belonging to New Phoenix Mine.
Next to so many of its other neighbours such as South Phoenix and Wheal Jenkin, little is known about this tiny venture. A small tin mine, it was likely at work in the 1880’s to 1890’s.
The only engine house is still standing; an indoor beam rotary engine, it would have worked some stamps of the north-east. The house itself is made up of random bits of granite. To the west is the lone wall of some mine buildings, likely the mines office, smithy and store. South was the location of two buddles, with tanks below them.
Access is free to anyone visiting Craddock Moor.
There are two free car parks in Minions.
Acton, B. and Brown, K. (1999) Exploring Cornish Mines: Volume Four. Truro: Landfall Publications.
Nance, D., Brown, K. and Clarke, T. (2019) A Complete Guide to the Engine Houses of Mid-Cornwall. Lydney: Lightmoor Press.
Sharpe, A. (1989) The Minions Survey Part 1. Truro. Available at: http://map.cornwall.gov.uk/reports_event_record/1989/1989R018.pdf.
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]]>The post A Walk Around the Minions Area appeared first on Explore Cornwall.
]]>The village of Minions and the surrounding landscape of Bodmin and Craddock Moors contain a wealth of historical features. This walk will aim to include as many of this elements are possible.
This walk will start from the car park in front of South Phoenix’s Houseman’s engine house. From here, if facing Houseman’s, you’ll have Wheal Jenkin behind you, Phoenix United off in the distance to the right and The Hurlers over to the left.
First go and take a look at the engine house in front. After spending some time as a farm house, it was turned into a visitors centre with some great displays about the area. Beyond it are some of the old shafts and burrows. Head north-north-east to join a wide track; this is the former bed of the Cheesewring Railway and on the other side are some concrete remains from a later reworking of the mine.
Wind your way down the hill, following the little sheep trails until you reach a tarmac road, turn left and follow it past a large house and then when it branches into a dirt track, take the dirt track. This path leads down to Prince of Wales engine house of Phoenix United Mine. With its striking square chimney this is from its most recent reworking and it made of up numerous smaller sets, the remains of which sit behind this.
After exploring this area, take the path north that runs through the centre of the area; this joins to the open waste land of the early Wheal Phoenix workings, looking similar to the ‘moonscapes’ of places such as Poldice. There are few remains of the mines early days, the majority of which are on the outskirts of the area, with the bases of two engine houses in the farm hedges along the east side.
Once you’ve explored to your hearts content, head west around the private property to join a footpath that runs down the back of it. On your right are the overgrown remains of the engine house on West’s shaft. This path leads back to the road, cross and head up the hill following the rough route of the old Incline.
Straight up, you’ll reach Stowe’s Mine, another part of the great Phoenix sett. This is an interesting explore with both old and new features together. Take a look at the collapsed Stowe’s shaft, the fencing is still running through the middle, although in mid-air. Behind this is an even larger fenced area comprised of multiple shafts.
Between these two shaft is the same wide path we joined from South Phoenix, although the railway would have continued on to Cheesewring Quarry rather than further onto the moors (this is a nice optional addition to the walk, with parts of the railway track still visible in the quarry – also the views from the top are spectacular).
The path continues on past a line of old mine shafts into the West Phoenix section of the mine. Eventually as the path begins to curve around back towards the village, you’ll reach a collared shaft with a tree growing out of it with two large piles of granite rock on the hill behind. The shaft is from an earlier working of West Phoenix, while the rubble dates from the 1950’s when the two engine houses were demolished as part of a military exercise.
From here head back towards the village. Roughly halfway back, there is a detour that can be taken on the right which allows you to visit the concrete remains of Silver Valley mine, and just past these the engine house of New Phoenix Mine.
Heading back to the car park this ends the walk, although there is always the option to pop across the road and inspect the remains of Wheal Jenkin. The Liskeard and Caradon Railway track is still present and if you follow it onward does head through West Rosedown Mine and then only Marke Valley Mine.
Access to all of the sites mentioned is free to the public by being on common land. Some parts of the path may not be suitable for those with mobility issues. As its common land there are plenty of sheep, cows and horses roaming around, so be mindful.
There is plenty of free parking in the village.
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]]>Just north-west of the famous Hurler’s Stones of Minions are the scant remains of a small but unique mine.
Work first started here in 1815 under a Captain Malachy, working the end of Wheal Brothers lode further to the west. In 1852 200 ounces (5.7kg) of silver to the ton were produced. Between 1910-12 the ends of Wheal Prosper and Grace Dieu lodes were worked. In 1937 Silver Valley was taken over by Liskeard Minerals Ltd who are the ones responsible for the visible remains today. This reworking was short lived, seeing a new shaft sunk but quickly abandoned.
It’s next and final endeavour was in 1942 when the Canadian Royal Engineers moved in for a year to search for tin and/or wolfram, deepening the previous shaft to 40m and erecting a headgear. No ore of any kind was produced despite them spending £25,000.
The mine only worked three shafts, those being the latest shaft (40m), Prosper shaft and another unnamed one.
Access is free to anyone who’s walking on Bodmin Moor.
There are two free car parks in Minions.
Acton, B. and Brown, K. (1999) Exploring Cornish Mines: Volume Four. Truro: Landfall Publications.
Dines, H. G. (1956) The metalliferous mining regions of south-west England. British Geological Survey.
Gossip, J. (2003) Minions Survey. Truro. Available at: http://map.cornwall.gov.uk/reports_event_record/2003/2003R007.pdf (Accessed: 15 January 2020).
Hamilton-Jenkin, A. K. (1869) Mines and Miners of Cornwall: XV Calstock, Callington and Launceston. Truro: Truro Bookshop.
Sharpe, A. (1989) The Minions Survey Part 2. Truro. Available at: http://map.cornwall.gov.uk/reports_event_record/1989/1989R019.pdf.
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