Navsbooks>Liskeard Mining in 1863> Liskeard Mining District Sett Map
My transformation of the CD-ROM of the Liskeard mining district into a paperback did require some omissions. One of which was the mine sett map of the area, which in its coloured form did not reproduce well in the paperback form. Within the book is a simplified black and white version of the map, a version that shows the location and extent of the mines well, but omits the production/financial status of the mines. This post contains the map in its original form, and describes the patterns that emerge from it.
The terms used on the map
The setts are colour coded to indicate each mines operational status in 1863.
In production and paying dividends
A mine that is selling ore and paying dividends to its adventurers (share holders).
In production but not paying dividends
A mine that is selling ore, but is not selling enough to offset costs or to pay dividends to its shareholders.
Under development
A mine that is operating, but not producing any ore.
Disused
A mine that was not operational in 1863.
The pattern uncovered
The mine setts are in two groups, the main block of the Caradon copper and tin group run east to west across the northern part of the map, whilst the lead silver groups of Ludcott and Meneheniot run north to south down towards the bottom of the map.
This layout reflects the general distribution of lodes in most of Cornwall, where tin and lead run in a East to west direction, and silver lead North to south. Another pattern is also shown, that is the relationship between the mineral and granite. Tin tends towards the centre of the granite, copper its margins, and silver/lead distant from the intrusion.
Patches of green on the map are clustered around the most successful of the mines, Phoenix, South Caradon and Trewlawny/Mary Ann. Many of those beyond those clusters scrabbling to harvest the money of hopeful investors.
The Book
Brenton Symon’s map is now available in paperback and kindle form within my book on the Liskeard Mining District in 1863.
Click to view the book on Amazon>
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