Hi Paul
Looking through my records I find only two mentions of a man-engine - First
was an accident where a man named Sleman was injured by not paying
attention to the working of the engine (Tavistock Gazette: Friday 16th
February 1866)
Second "....The labour is hard enough without the climbing; and we are glad to
be able to state that a man engine will shortly be erected at a centrally
situated shaft, which will relieve the men of this intense anti unproductive
fatigue." (Tavistock Gazette: Friday 9th December 1864)
Here is part of an article that mentions the engines etc.
"...Included in this calculation are the following engines and water wheels: -
Two steam engines of 40-inch cylinder, 71-horse power each; four steam
engines of 30-inch cylinder, 54-horse power each; two steam engines of 24-
inch cylinder, 34-horse power each; two locomotive engines, with two 12-inch
cylinders each. The two 40-inch engines are employed in pumping; the others
in handling crushing &c. There are 33 water wheels on this mine, the principal
of which there are – two wheels, each 40-feet diameter and 12 feet breast,
and of 140 horse power, worked by water from the river Tamar, and engaged
in pumping from shafts at Wheal Anna Maria (137 fathoms deep) and Wheal
Josiah (224 fathoms deep) about half-a-mile distant; one wheel, 30 feet
diameter, and 10 feet breast, 80 horse power, pumping from Agnes Shaft (185
fathoms deep); one wheel of 100 horse power, 30 feet diameter and 16 feet
breast, forcing up water by plunger lifts from the river Tamar a distance
exceeding 200 fathoms, 67 fathoms perpendicular height, to a reservoir at
Wheal Josiah, at the rate of over 500 gallons per minute, for dressing,
condensing, and other purposes; two wheels each of 45 horse power, for
pumping and crushing; three wheels, each of 25 horse power, for hauling.
(Tavistock Gazette: Friday 2nd December 1864)
May I suggest reading Rick Stewart's publication "Devon Great Consols A
collection of contemporary articles and reports" Tamar Mining Press 2003
Kindest regards Chris Kelland
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