Pump Engine House To Marriott'S Shaft On South Wheal Frances Sett

CARN BREA PIECE SW 63 NE 8/152 Pump engine house to Marriott's shaft on South Wheal Frances sett

GV II Pump engine house to former tin mine, now derelict. Late 1890's, for South Frances United Mine. Granite rubble with quoins, brick arches to openings; now roofless. Rectangular plan on north-south axis, with pump opening at south end, chimney attached at north-east corner. Two high storeys; the gabled front wall has a very large round-headed opening overlooking the former shaft (which is now capped with concrete), and a circular window in the apex of the gable above; the rear has a similar opening which was formerly a large window at 1st floor (the masonry beneath it having been removed) and a similar circular window above; the sides have round-headed windows at 1st floor. Slightly-tapered cylindrical chimney now lacking brick upper stage. Interior not accessible. History: built to replace former engine house destroyed by fire in 1895; contained inverted compound beam engine, said to have been the only one of its type to work in Cornwall, with beam operating beneath floor, pivoted within the house itself, and cylinders mounted on floor above, supported by massive interior buttresses. Part of one of the best equipped mines in Cornwall, closed in 1918. Reference: Marilyn Palmer & Peter Neaverson The Basset Mines, their History and Industrial Archaeology (1987); J.Trounson Mining in Cornwall Vol One (1985). Scheduled Ancient Monument No.953. Central element of very impressive group.

Listing NGR: SW6805939375