The engine was dismantled & moved to Tolgus Tin (I think that it was late
1979), where it lay for a few years before being moved to the china clay
dry. ( I dismantled it / moved it, together with Clifford Shaw & Morley
Bonner).

On the day that was scheduled to lower the beam (with press in attendance),
it was found that we had worked hard the day previous, & lowered the beam a
day early!!

 In hindsight, if I had known how events would unfold, I would have refused
to dismantle the engine).

Just after this, Tolgus was sold to Wendron Forge & all the staff made
redundant (self included). Later some of the staff transferred to Wendron,
while some formed the Company "Cornish Tin & Engineering" & set up a gravity
& froth flotation plant at Tolgarrick (Tuckingmill) treating the tailings
from South Crofty Mine for tin.

At the time of dismantling the engine, I prepared drawings of the all the
principle dimensions with a view to re-erecting the engine at Tolgus. (I
know that the trust have had a copy of these via Peter Hawkins, for I was
approached in the late 80's to move / install the engine at Wheal Martyn,
but not enough funds & the project died again).

With the engine was Leans "stroke" counter (used for determining the "duty"
of these engines), which had been attached to the beam, but was removed for
safe storage (the last time that I saw it was in the raised store in the
engineers workshop at Tolgus; some time in 1985. By this time the site had
been sold off from Wendron Forge & the plant was being used by a company
processing tailings dumps for tin). Together with brasses from the valve
gear & other smaller parts, such as the displacement lubricator for the
cylinder & a 40 gallon drum of steam cylinder oil.

We even salvaged a potted plant that had been in the original Rostowrak
Engine house, together with its drivers oil stained "settle" seat & the
engine house clock.   All of which were stored at Tolgus Tin ..........I
wonder where the parts are scattered to now, & in what condition?

Hope this is of help.

Regards, Bob Orchard.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Waterhouse" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, 26 June 2003 22:50
Subject: Rostowrack Beam Engine


> A number of rumours have reached me recently regarding the Rostowrack Beam
Engine in Cornwall.  This 30" rotative pumping engine is the only engine by
William West of St Blazey to have survived.  It was built in 1851, and ended
its working life pumping china clay slurry at the Goonvean & Rostowrack
China Clay Works near St Austell.  It was dismantled in the 1950s and was
re-erected in Holman's museum.  When this closed in the 1970s, it was
dismantled again and put into store in a former china clay dry near Wheal
Martyn China Clay Museum.  I now hear that the roof of this building fell in
last winter, and that no attempt has been made to secure the building.  I
believe the engine is now owned by the National Trust, and wonder whether
anyone knows any more about the situation.  I have heard that a number of
parts have gone missing, quite apart from the effects of the weather on the
engine.  Please can list members help?
>
> Robert Waterhouse
>
>
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