Pyromorphite
from Wheal Alfred
After a lifetime's study of the mines and miners of the South West, in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s the late A. Hamilton Jenkin concentrated primarily on research into the lesser known mining ventures in Cornwall, the existence and progress of which could only be traced by a prodigious amount of original and painstaking research. The results of that research were published in a series of booklets titled "Mines and Miners of Cornwall".
Volume 5 of the series covers Hayle, Gwinear and Gwithian and includes some b&w photos, maps, sketches, a fold-out map of the area with the various mine sites identified and an index. I have a copy of this volume. Contact me if you would like further information on any of the mines listed or the people associated with these mines.
The mines mentioned in the index of Volume 5 are listed in the table below. Remember, some of these mines were in Gwinear or Gwithian.
|
Albert Adventure |
Nanterrow Consols |
Wheal Ann |
Wheal Maggot |
|
Alfred Consols |
North Dolcoath |
Wheal Alfred |
Wheal Mary United |
|
Angarrack Consols |
North Herland |
Wheal Arthur |
Wheal Nancemellin |
|
Bandowers |
North Wheal Alfred |
Wheal Boil |
Wheal Pascoe |
|
Bodraverran |
Prince George |
Wheal Carpenter |
Wheal Pleasure |
|
Boiling Well |
Relistian |
Wheal Connerton |
Wheal Prospect |
|
Cold Harbour |
Riviere Consols |
Wheal Cupola |
Wheal Prosper |
|
East Wheal Alfred |
Rose-in-Valley Mine |
Wheal Drunk |
Wheal Rice |
|
Great Wheal Alfred |
South Alfred |
Wheal Emily |
Wheal Royal |
|
Herland |
Trevascus Mine |
Wheal Fancy |
Wheal St Andrew |
|
Leah Copper Work |
Trungle Mine |
Wheal Hartley |
Wheal Shoat |
|
Loggans Mine |
West Alfred Consols |
Wheal Jane |
Wheal Smart |
|
Manor Mine |
West Dolcoath |
Wheal Kayle |
Wheal Speed |
|
Mellanoweth |
West Wheal Andrew |
Wheal Liverpool |
Wheal Triumph |
|
Mellanvrane |
West Wheal Rose |
Wheal Lucy |
Wheal Wilhelmina |
Wheal Alfred, a mile and a half south of Hayle, was the most famous and was one of the richest copper producers in the county. In 1824, two large steam engines were installed there, one a 90 inch single cylinder, the other with 40 and 70 inch compound cylinders.
Wheal Lucy was on the Black Cliff, half a mile north of Phillack church, while on the eastern margin of the sand dunes lay Phillack Towans or Loggans mine.
In Angarrack valley, close to the railway, was Mellanoweth mine, otherwise known as Wheal Maggot.