Rights Managed > Royal Cornwall Museum > Mining > Redruth
Surface workers at Wheal Sparnon dressing floor, Redruth, Cornwall. Around 1865
Filename: TRURI-MIspa-3.tiff
Size: 6822 x 7597 (12.9MB)
Date: 11th September 2018
Source: Royal Cornwall Museum
County: Cornwall
Location Name: 50.226997, -5.242263
© From the collection of the RIC
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Royal Cornwall Museum
Surface workers at Wheal Sparnon dressing floor, Redruth, Cornwall. Around 1865
The engine house and two chimneys can be seen in the background. The area in the photograph is now covered by Clinton Road, Park Road and Albany Road, Redruth. According to the Ordnance Survey Six Inch map Cornwall LXIII. NE, surveyed 1877 to 1879, the mine is disused at that time. By the same OS area map Cornwall LXIII. NE Revised 1906, the whole are is covered in housing. The mine produced copper, as well as traces of cobalt and gold. Thomas Spargo states in his book, The Mines of Cornwall (1865), that " Wheal Sparnon was in the the parish of Redruth, Cornwall, in 6, 000 shares. Secretary, Mr G.H. Cardozo, London. Purser, Mr W.P. Cardozo, Camborne. Manager, Captain Wm. Tregay, Redruth. Rocks, granite and clay-slate, 60 men employed in the mine, operations on the surface of which commenced in 1864. Land owner, Lord Clinton. Dues 1-20th. Depth of adit, 18 fathoms; depth under adit, 60 fathoms. A 70-inch pumping-engine just completed, also a 22-inch winding-engine. Little has been as yet been done by the Company under the surface; but it is generally believed that enormous quantities of tin will be raised after the mine has been cleared of water". Photographer: Probably Henry Opie
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TRURI : MIspa.3
Media ID 15405410
© From the collection of the RIC
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the surface workers at Wheal Sparnon dressing floor in Redruth, Cornwall, around 1865. In the background, the imposing engine house and two chimneys stand tall against the sky. It is fascinating to note that this area, now occupied by Clinton Road, Park Road, and Albany Road in Redruth, was once a thriving mining site. According to historical records from the Ordnance Survey Six Inch map of Cornwall LXIII. NE surveyed between 1877 and 1879, Wheal Sparnon had become disused by that time. However, a revised map from 1906 reveals that housing now covers the entire area. Wheal Sparnon was known for its copper production as well as traces of cobalt and gold. Thomas Spargo's book "The Mines of Cornwall" (1865) provides valuable information about this mine's operations during its active years. The mine boasted a workforce of approximately 60 men who began surface operations in 1864 under the management of Captain William Tregay. Interestingly, Lord Clinton owned the land where Wheal Sparnon operated with shares divided among investors including Mr G. H. Cardozo from London serving as Secretary and Mr W. P. Cardozo from Camborne acting as Purser. This remarkable photograph was most likely captured by Henry Opie rather than commissioned by the company itself. Its existence serves as a visual testament to Cornwall's rich mining history and offers us a glimpse into an era long gone but not forgotten.
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