The Levant Mine in Trewellard, Pendeen is one of the few places where you can see a working steam powered Beam Engine and learn about the history of Cornwall's tin and copper mining tradition.
This particular mine, and its engine, are part of a tradition of famously deep mines enabled by the draining power of the Beam Engine.
Cornwall's mines in general, and the Levant Mine particularly, were known around the world for the massive beam engines constructed and used in them.
This mine was nicknamed the 'mine under the sea' because of the massive engines that allowed tunnels to be driven up to 2.
5 km from the cliffs under the sea.
The life of a miner was a difficult one although it is often romanticized now.
Women and children were only allowed to work on the surface, but boys as young as twelve could expect to begin their underground career and be considered wage earners.
The miners lived a subsistence existence, eating dried fish, bread, and cheese, walking up to twelve miles to work, and paying for their own supplies.
These last included candles, explosives, tools and tool sharpening, and even medical care.
For this, they were paid very little.
They might be paid for piecework for each fathom driven or they might bid against each other in order to receive a good price for the ore they had retrieved.
Even that would be a few shillings on the pound of tonnage they had to sell.
The mining life was dirty, tough, and dangerous.
This mine is currently in the care of the National Trust and the beam engine was originally restored to running order by the Trevithick Society.
It was built in 1840 and it is now the oldest beam engine still running in Cornwall.
It worked continuously until the mine was shut down in 1930.
In addition to draining the mine and making it possible to work, the beam engine also helped to power the man engine.
This machine was the cause of a terrible and memorable accident at the Levant Mine.
It was designed to carry miners down into the mine in order to work, but broke one day in 1919 and sent 31 miners hurtling to their deaths at the bottom of the mine.
The lower levels of the mine were closed in consequence.
Visitors to the area can see the working beam engine still, however, look down the mine shaft, see the old dressing floors, and take a surface tour.
This particular mine, and its engine, are part of a tradition of famously deep mines enabled by the draining power of the Beam Engine.
Cornwall's mines in general, and the Levant Mine particularly, were known around the world for the massive beam engines constructed and used in them.
This mine was nicknamed the 'mine under the sea' because of the massive engines that allowed tunnels to be driven up to 2.
5 km from the cliffs under the sea.
The life of a miner was a difficult one although it is often romanticized now.
Women and children were only allowed to work on the surface, but boys as young as twelve could expect to begin their underground career and be considered wage earners.
The miners lived a subsistence existence, eating dried fish, bread, and cheese, walking up to twelve miles to work, and paying for their own supplies.
These last included candles, explosives, tools and tool sharpening, and even medical care.
For this, they were paid very little.
They might be paid for piecework for each fathom driven or they might bid against each other in order to receive a good price for the ore they had retrieved.
Even that would be a few shillings on the pound of tonnage they had to sell.
The mining life was dirty, tough, and dangerous.
This mine is currently in the care of the National Trust and the beam engine was originally restored to running order by the Trevithick Society.
It was built in 1840 and it is now the oldest beam engine still running in Cornwall.
It worked continuously until the mine was shut down in 1930.
In addition to draining the mine and making it possible to work, the beam engine also helped to power the man engine.
This machine was the cause of a terrible and memorable accident at the Levant Mine.
It was designed to carry miners down into the mine in order to work, but broke one day in 1919 and sent 31 miners hurtling to their deaths at the bottom of the mine.
The lower levels of the mine were closed in consequence.
Visitors to the area can see the working beam engine still, however, look down the mine shaft, see the old dressing floors, and take a surface tour.
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