There is quite good photographic coverage of the engine houses at Wheal
Martha / New Great Consols (not sure which one housed the Sims) taken by
H.G. Ordish in the 1920's - try the following:
Richardson PHG (1992), Mines of Drtmoor and the Tamar Valley after 1913,
NMRS.
Trounson J.H & Bullen L.J, (1999) Mining in Cornwall Vol 2, Tempus.
Apparently two of the houses are still partially extant, which two is
another matter - the bloke who should know is Colin Buck of Cornwall
Archaeology Unit (Cornwall County Council, Truro).
In addition to the Sims' listed by Bradford Barton there was also one (30 in
and 16 in. cyls) at Wheal Josiah (Devon Great Consols) (Mining Journal July
7, 1860).
Rick Stewart.
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Williams" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2003 7:37 PM
Subject: Sims' Combined Engine Houses
I am involved in the excavation at High Rake Mine at Windmill, near
Great Hucklow, Derbyshire. (Information may be seen on the PDMHS Web
Pages at www.tidza.demon.co.uk-page34.html). We are currently working on
the main pumping engine house, which housed a Sims’ Combined Engine.
According to Barton (The Cornish Beam Engine) this was a 36”/70”
(10ft e.b.) supplied by Graham and Company of the Milton Iron Works.
According to Barton one of the problems with these engines was that,
having two cylinders above one another, they required a very high (he
says four-storey) engine house. Apparently one of the ways to reduce
this was to sink the lower cylinder below the engine-house floor.
Now, so far, what we have seen of the engine house foundations
demonstrates quite a small engine house. The engine houses were
demolished for stone in the 1930’s, so all we can see are the
foundations.
My questions are these - Is there an extent engine house which was
built for a Sims’ engine? Is there anywhere a drawing of a Sims’
engine-house? Can anyone comment on Sims’ compound engines?
Barton lists Sims’ engines at Carn Brea, Ting Tang, Perran Great St.
George, South Wheal Basset, Wheal Martha (Stoke Climsland), Par Consols,
Wheal Anna (Perranzabuloe), Nap Down Consols (Combe Martin), Caradon
Great Consols, Wheal Harriett (Camborne) and in Linares.
--
David Williams
Visit www.pdmhs.com for information
on the Peak District Mines Historical Society
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