Here is a list of steam engines installed at Phoenix United Mine, Compiled from Kenneth Brown/Bob Acton’s Exploring Cornish Mine’s book, and The CAU study on the Minions area. Many of these engines were made at William West’s St. Blazey foundry.
Hamiltons Pumping Engine
A 36″ engine erected 1869-1870.
Some overgrown remains exist.
West’s Whim
A horizontal engine used in the last part of the mine’s life. A good set of remains exist.
West Phoenix Stamps
A 24″ engine driving 64 head of stamps.
A poor set of remains.
Crushing Engine
A 15″ or 20″, the use and size of this engine is not well known.
A poor set of remains.
Wheal Phoenix Stamps
Originally a pair of William West 26″ engines that was replaced with a 32″. It Drove a 96 head of stamps.
A poor set of remains.
Seccombe’s Whim
A 28″ engine
Only the bedstone remains.
Seccombes Pumping Engine
This 60″ engine was main pumping engine on the mine.
Very poor set of remains.
Water Wheel
A 60 ft wheel in the valley bottom.
A splendid set of remains!
Reference: Minions, An archaeological survey of the Caradon Mining Dsitrict, By Adam Sharp, Published by the Cornwall Archaeological Unit, 1993.
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