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  1. Industrial Archaeology
  2. Mines of Cornwall & Devon

Phoenix United Mine

Phoenix United Mine was first worked in 1836 as Cornwall Great United Mines, having previously been mined separately as Clanacombe, Stowes and Wheal Prosper mines. The mine was subsequently bought by James Seccombe in 1842 who renamed it Phoenix Mine / Wheal Phoenix in 1844, finally being called Phoenix United Mine when West Phoenix Mine was incorporated.

The mine originally extracted copper, the 1850s being the mine's peak production of the metal, with a work force of 130. By the 1860s the copper reserves were diminishing but consultant mining engineer, William West, bought a controlling share in the company and equipped the mine to extract tin in 1864 after samples showed evidence of tin deposits. By 1865 the work force had expanded to 460, continuing to 600 by the 1870s. It used the Liskeard and Caradon Railway to transport the ore away and supply the mine with coal. With the price of tin and copper slumping, the West Phoenix Mine ceased operation in 1898. The final shaft, the Prince of Wales Shaft, was closed in 1914.
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  • South Wheal Phoenix - April 17, 2006

    South Wheal Phoenix - April 17, 2006

    The Prince of Wales Shaft Engine house was constructed was constructed in 1907 to house the last large Cornish Beam Engine (90") to be constructed for a Cornish Mine. However, the mine closed in 1914 and the pumping engine was removed from the house and broken up in 1935. In the early 1990s the engine house which unusually for a Cornish mine has a square based stack was consolidated by Caradon District Coucil who had acquired the site from the Duchy of Cornwall. HRH Prince Charles Prince of Wales / Duke of Cornwall visited the engine house shortly after conservation work was completed. A plaque displayed inside commemorates his visit in 1994.

  • Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    The Prince of Wales Shaft Engine house was constructed was constructed in 1907 to house the last large Cornish Beam Engine (90") to be constructed for a Cornish Mine. However, the mine closed in 1914 and the pumping engine was removed from the house and broken up in 1935. In the early 1990s the engine house which unusually for a Cornish mine has a square based stack was consolidated by Caradon District Coucil who had acquired the site from the Duchy of Cornwall. HRH Prince Charles Prince of Wales / Duke of Cornwall visited the engine house shortly after conservation work was completed. A plaque displayed inside commemorates his visit in 1994.

  • Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    The Prince of Wales Shaft Engine house was constructed was constructed in 1907 to house the last large Cornish Beam Engine (90") to be constructed for a Cornish Mine. However, the mine closed in 1914 and the pumping engine was removed from the house and broken up in 1935. In the early 1990s the engine house which unusually for a Cornish mine has a square based stack was consolidated by Caradon District Coucil who had acquired the site from the Duchy of Cornwall. HRH Prince Charles Prince of Wales / Duke of Cornwall visited the engine house shortly after conservation work was completed. A plaque displayed inside commemorates his visit in 1994.

  • Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    The Prince of Wales Shaft Engine house was constructed was constructed in 1907 to house the last large Cornish Beam Engine (90") to be constructed for a Cornish Mine. However, the mine closed in 1914 and the pumping engine was removed from the house and broken up in 1935. In the early 1990s the engine house which unusually for a Cornish mine has a square based stack was consolidated by Caradon District Coucil who had acquired the site from the Duchy of Cornwall. HRH Prince Charles Prince of Wales / Duke of Cornwall visited the engine house shortly after conservation work was completed. A plaque displayed inside commemorates his visit in 1994.

  • Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    The Prince of Wales Shaft Engine house was constructed was constructed in 1907 to house the last large Cornish Beam Engine (90") to be constructed for a Cornish Mine. However, the mine closed in 1914 and the pumping engine was removed from the house and broken up in 1935. In the early 1990s the engine house which unusually for a Cornish mine has a square based stack was consolidated by Caradon District Coucil who had acquired the site from the Duchy of Cornwall. HRH Prince Charles Prince of Wales / Duke of Cornwall visited the engine house shortly after conservation work was completed. A plaque displayed inside commemorates his visit in 1994.

  • Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    The Prince of Wales Shaft Engine house was constructed was constructed in 1907 to house the last large Cornish Beam Engine (90") to be constructed for a Cornish Mine. However, the mine closed in 1914 and the pumping engine was removed from the house and broken up in 1935. In the early 1990s the engine house which unusually for a Cornish mine has a square based stack was consolidated by Caradon District Coucil who had acquired the site from the Duchy of Cornwall. HRH Prince Charles Prince of Wales / Duke of Cornwall visited the engine house shortly after conservation work was completed. A plaque displayed inside commemorates his visit in 1994.

  • Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    The Prince of Wales Shaft Engine house was constructed was constructed in 1907 to house the last large Cornish Beam Engine (90") to be constructed for a Cornish Mine. However, the mine closed in 1914 and the pumping engine was removed from the house and broken up in 1935. In the early 1990s the engine house which unusually for a Cornish mine has a square based stack was consolidated by Caradon District Coucil who had acquired the site from the Duchy of Cornwall. HRH Prince Charles Prince of Wales / Duke of Cornwall visited the engine house shortly after conservation work was completed. A plaque displayed inside commemorates his visit in 1994.

  • Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    The Prince of Wales Shaft Engine house was constructed was constructed in 1907 to house the last large Cornish Beam Engine (90") to be constructed for a Cornish Mine. However, the mine closed in 1914 and the pumping engine was removed from the house and broken up in 1935. In the early 1990s the engine house which unusually for a Cornish mine has a square based stack was consolidated by Caradon District Coucil who had acquired the site from the Duchy of Cornwall. HRH Prince Charles Prince of Wales / Duke of Cornwall visited the engine house shortly after conservation work was completed. A plaque displayed inside commemorates his visit in 1994.

  • Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Boiler House - Prince of Wales Shaft.

  • Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Whim engine house - Prince of Wales Shaft.

  • Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Boiler house at Prince of Wales Shaft.

  • Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Boiler house at Prince of Wales Shaft.

  • Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    The Prince of Wales Shaft Engine house was constructed was constructed in 1907 to house the last large Cornish Beam Engine (90") to be constructed for a Cornish Mine. However, the mine closed in 1914 and the pumping engine was removed from the house and broken up in 1935. In the early 1990s the engine house which unusually for a Cornish mine has a square based stack was consolidated by Caradon District Coucil who had acquired the site from the Duchy of Cornwall. HRH Prince Charles Prince of Wales / Duke of Cornwall visited the engine house shortly after conservation work was completed. A plaque displayed inside commemorates his visit in 1994.

  • Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    View from Phoenix United Mine to the Cheesewring.

  • Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    The whim (winding) engine house exterior.

  • Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Interior of the whim (winding) engine house at Phoenix United mine showing the engine footings.

  • Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Rear of the boiler and whim engine houses.

  • Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    Phoenix United Mine - June 03, 2010

    The Prince of Wales Shaft Engine house was constructed was constructed in 1907 to house the last large Cornish Beam Engine (90") to be constructed for a Cornish Mine. However, the mine closed in 1914 and the pumping engine was removed from the house and broken up in 1935. In the early 1990s the engine house which unusually for a Cornish mine has a square based stack was consolidated by Caradon District Coucil who had acquired the site from the Duchy of Cornwall. HRH Prince Charles Prince of Wales / Duke of Cornwall visited the engine house shortly after conservation work was completed. A plaque displayed inside commemorates his visit in 1994.

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