Liskeard Mining Area in 1863 is now available as a paperback

The journey I started in the Liskeard museum many years ago has finally finished. Brenton Symons’ 19th amazing map covering the Liskeard and Ludcott mining district has now been published as a full colour paperback. The book reproduces extracts from the geological map alongside a descriptions of the mines shown on the map.

The map covers Ludcott, Caradon, and the Meneheniot mines in South East Cornwall. Mines that include South Caradon, Wrey and Ludcott, Phoenix United, Wheal Trelawney and Wheal Mary Ann at a time when they where in peak production and the district was the most important in Cornwall.

The map shows lodes, cross courses, the granite boundary, engine houses, count houses, water wheels and shafts. It forms an essential resource for anyone interested in the history or geology of the area around Liskeard.

Click to view the book on Amazon>

To get an idea of the maps contained in the book pop across to my post on the granite boundary at Cardon Hill. That post has some extracts from Brenton Symon’s map.

If you wish to know more about the map then follow this blog as I will be adding some new posts over the next few months exploring beyond the book and the map.

Webb and Geach explored- The miscellaneous mines

A wander through the ‘History and Progress of Mining in the Liskeard and Caradon District’

That is the final post covering the mines within the miscellaneous section of Webb and Geach’s book  completed. So before this blog leaves the topic for some William West related topics here is an index of the posts.

These posts explores some of the smaller mines described within Webb and Geach’s  book of the Liskeard mining district in east Cornwall. This 1863 publication is currently available in paperback from the Trevthick Society, ISBN 978 0904040 88 3.

Each of the posts explores the mine sites through maps available on the internet, so by following the links a virtual exploration of the locations can be undertaken. The mines covered are all listed in the section titled ‘Miscellaneous’ within the book ( pages 98-102). In describing these mines Webb and Geach state-

“Several lodes in various parts of this district have been formerly worked, mostly for tin, but are now abandoned, many of them for long periods.”

Predictably, many of this mines have little or no evidence on maps, even by the 1880’s little remained on the Ordnance Survey maps. Tantalising traces do remain however, of some of these unsuccessful attempts to mine in the area around Caradon Hill.

• St.Cleer Consols Page 98
• Wheal Venland Page 98
• Liskeard Consols Page 99
• Caradon Copper Mine Page 99
• Wheal St. Cleer Page 99
• Butterdon Mine Page 99
• Wheal Venton Page 100
• East Penhargate Mine Page 100
• North Wrey and Julia Page 100
• West Craddock Moor Mine Page 100
• Penhauger Mine Page 101
• West Phoenix Mine Page 101
• Dunsley Wheal Phoenix Page 101

Brenton Symons’ map of 1863 contains evidence of many of these mines, and a copy of that amazing Victorian Cartography forms part of ‘The Liskeard Mining District in 1863‘ publication.

Its been great fun exploring these little known Cornish mines through the screen of my Kindle Fire. But William West of Tredenham, The Last Great Cornish Engineer is again requiring some fresh research. So this blog will be leaving Webb and Geach for a while, but will return in the future to look at some of the more successful mines of the Liskeard District.

Dunsley Wheal Phoenix- Webb and Geach explored

Here is the last post in this series of exploring mines described by Webb and Geach within the ‘miscellaneous mines’ section.  Dunsley Wheal Phoenix’s description is on page 101 of the Trevithick Society’s reprint of The History and Progress of mining in the Liskeard and Caradon District.

Dunsley Wheal Phoenix is located beside the Upton Cross to Minions road on Bodmin Moor. This was one of the few mines described within the miscellaneous chapter that has left clear evidence on the maps available free on the internet.

OS 1883

Cornwall XXVIII.NW (includes: Linkinhorne; St Cleer.)
Surveyed: 1881 to 1882, Published: 1883

Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland website> Click here for map

OS Map 2016

Click here to view the current OS map>

Click here for OS aerial view> 

Google 2016

Click here for current Google map>

Google street view

Cornwall Council

PRN : 0
MINE NAME : Dunsley Wheal Phoenix
HOUSE NAME : –
SITE TYPE : ENGINE HOUSE
FORM : EXTANT
DATE : –
START DATE :
END DATE :
PERIOD :
SM NO. :
SM PRN :
SURVIVAL : <50% SURVIVAL
CONDITION : N/A
SOURCE : 1880 1ST EDITION OS
WHS AREA : Caradon Mining District
WHS AREA ID : A9
Click here for Cornwall Council interactive map>

West Phoenix Mine- Webb and Geach explored

This series of blog post is nearing the end of  exploring the small ‘miscellaneous’ mines in Webb and Geach.  Its description can be found on page 101 of the Trevithick Society reprint of the book.  West Phoenix is the first mine within the miscellaneous section that has left obvious evidence of modern maps, so enjoy exploring.

Ordnance Survey

Surveyed: 1881 to 1882 Published: 1883, Cornwall XXVIII.NW

Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland.

Click here for Map>

Ordnance Survey 2016

Click here for Map>

Google Maps 2016

Click here for map>

Cornwall Council interactive map

Reference : MCO12775
Name : WEST PHOENIX – Post Medieval mine
Monument type : MINE
Period : Post Medieval
Form : EXTANT STRUCTURE
Summary : The mine worked for tin between 1872 and 1875, and for copper from 1877-1886. It was amalgamated with Phoenix United in 1886 and was closed in 1889. The buildings were demolished as a military exercise in the 1950’s
Link to further information : http://www.heritageg… 

Click here for map>

Penhauger Mine-Webb and Geach Explored

Penhauger Mine is the first of the small miscellaneous mines listed by Webb and Geach (Page 101) for which I have found evidence for within the mapping resources found on line.  An explore around the Scottish library site was rewarded with clear evidence of an engine house and possible shaft/adit remains. 

OS 1888

Cornwall XXXVI.NE , Surveyed: 1882, Published: 1888

Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland.

Click here to view map>

 

OS 2016

Click here for map>

Google Maps 2016

Click here to view map>

Cornish Council Map

Reference : MCO12398
Name : PENHAWGER – Post Medieval mine
Monument type : MINE
Period : Post Medieval
Form : EXTANT STRUCTURE

Click here for map>

Click here for Heritage Gateway entry>

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For Webb and Geach and other John Manley’s books-click here>

Webb and Geach Explored-West Craddock Moor Mine

West Craddock Moor Mine on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall

This is a post in the series exploring the Webb and Geach’s book ‘History and progress of mining in the Liskeard and Caradon district‘ through maps available on the internet. West Craddock Moor is one of the small mines listed in the miscellaneous section of the book (page 100). These mines by their nature have left little or no trace, and despite much peering I can find no evidence of this one on any of the maps apart from Brenton Symons‘.

 

Cornwall XXVIII.NW (includes: Linkinhorne; St Cleer.) Surveyed: 1881 to 1882
Published: 1883

Produced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland

Click Here for OS 1883 Map on the Library’s excellent website>

Brenton Symons

Extract from Brenton Symons’ 1863 map

OS 2016

Click here for map>

Google Earth 2016

Current Google Earth Map

Cornwall Council interactive map

Reference : MCO38680
Name : WEST CRADDOCK MOOR – Post Medieval mine
Monument type : MINE
Period : Post Medieval
Form : EXTANT STRUCTURE

Click here for map>

 

 

Click here for Heritage Gateway information>

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For Webb and Geach and other John Manley’s books-click here>

Webb and Geach Explored-North Wrey and Julia

This post looks at another of the small unsuccessful mines described within the pages of   Webb and Geach.

That book refers to the mine as ‘ North Wrey and Julia, but Brenton Symons’ 1863 map has the shorter ‘Wrey and Julia’  label.

“This small mine was worked some time since by a portable engine, to try a north and south lead lode……” _{Webb and Geach page 100}

Ordnance Survey 1883

Cornwall XXVIII.SE (includes: St Cleer; St Ive.)
Surveyed: 1882 Published: 1883

No evidence of an y workings shown in the location indicated by Symons apart from a possible disturbance (Shaft?) on the north face of the short NE’ly running field boundary wall. ‘Trebeigh Mine’ is shown close west of the site however.

Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland.

Click here to view the full map>

Ordnance Survey 2016

No evidence can be seen on the OS 2016 map

Click here to view the map on the OS website>

Google Maps 2016

Again, no clues to be seen on the Google maps satellite view.

Click here to explore the map>

 

 

 

Cornwall Council interactive map

This shows a small earth work close south of the mine site.

Click here for the map>

 

 

 

 

 

 

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For Webb and Geach and other John Manley’s books-click here>

East Penhargate Mine

The next of the small ‘miscellaneous; mines described by Webb and Geach had no evidence of its existence, apart from a sett name, on Brenton Symons’ map. The trace of a possible shaft and tip/adit can be seen on the OS 1883 map in the location shown on the Cornwall interactive map.  

 “…there is as yet nothing of moment doing, the company not being quite formed” _{Webb and Geach page 100}

OS 1883

Cornwall XXVIII.NE (includes: Linkinhorne; South Hill; St Ive.)Surveyed: 1881 to 1882
Published: 1883

Produced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland

Click  here for the map on the Library’s excellent website>

OS 2016

To view the current map on the OS website click here>

 

Google Maps

Click here to explore the map>

There may be a small patch of undergrowth in the possible location of the tip/adit.  Also, a  circular, slightly discolored  patch of grass in the field may indicate the shaft position.

Cornwall Council

Click here for interactive map>

Note this map also lists  a Penhargate Wood mine at this location.

“PRN (CORNWALL) : 0
SITE NAME : EAST PENHARGET MINE
SITE TYPE : MINE
FORM :
EPOCH :
PERIOD :
MRO INDEX : 1
SOURCE : CC-A11

Reference : MCO12397
Name : PENHARGET WOOD – Post Medieval mine
Monument type : MINE
Period : Post Medieval
Form : EXTANT STRUCTURE
Summary : Four shafts, the remains of a building, a spoil tip and a circular earth bank (possibly a whim) are visible on air photographs”

Click here for Heritage Gateway Entry>

 

Webb and Geach Explored-Wheal Venton

There has been a bit of a pause in these posts whilst I have been tying up some loose ends with some work across on my other blog- NAVREGS.  I have just published a new book in my Really Handy text book range, and have been beavering away on some posts on ship certification. But now there is a chance to resume the series on Liskeard mines.  This is another small mine in the Meneheniot area, and this one is on page 99 of Webb and Geach.

“This, as well as Butterdon Mine is situated in the killas lead bearing district. There is only one lead lode discovered here. A 50-inch engine was erected, and some tons of silver-lead returned from a shallow level (the 40), but after some years’ trial the mine was suspended. ..” Webb and Geach

 

Ordnance Survey

Cornwall XXXVI.NE (includes: Menheniot; Quethiock; St Ive.) Surveyed: 1882 Published: 1888

Produced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland

Click  here for the map on the Library’s excellent website>

Ordnance Survey 2016

To view the current map on the OS website click here>

Google Maps

Click here to explore the map

 

 

 

 

Cornwall Council

PRN (CORNWALL) : 42636
SITE NAME : WHEAL VENTON
SITE TYPE : MINE
FORM : EXTANT
EPOCH : Post-Medieval
PERIOD : 19

Click here for interactive map>

Brenton Symons’ 1863 Map

Click here for more information about this map>

This map clearly shows the mine in a different position than on the Cornwall interactive map. That map places Wheal Venton on the line of Butterdon mine’s adit air shafts.

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For Webb and Geach and other John Manley’s books-click here>

 

 

Webb and Geach Explored-Butterdon Mine

This is last of the mines described on page 99 of Trevithick Society’s reprint of Webb and Geach’s book ‘The history and progress of mining in the Liskeard and Caradon District’ ,  and the first in this series of posts in the Menheniot mining district.

“…….It is considered that these lodes received but a slender trial at the last working, and that if a lease could be procured on equitable terms, a profitable mine might be found.” Webb and Geach

Ordnance Survey

Cornwall XXXVI.NE (includes: Menheniot; Quethiock; St Ive.) Surveyed: 1882 Published: 1888

Produced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland

Click  here for the map on the Library’s excellent website>

Ordnance Survey 2016

To see the current map on the OS site click here>

 

Google Maps

Click here to explore the map>

Cornwall Council

Click for interactive map>

Reference : MCO11907

Name : BUTTERDON – Post Medieval mine
Monument type : MINE
Period : Post Medieval
Form : EXTANT STRUCTURE
Summary : Butterdon lead mine.

 

 

 

Click for Heritage gateway>

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For Webb and Geach and other John Manley’s books-click here>