David Oates – a Camborne man, born and bred, reflects on an era now sadly come to an end and talks about the impact of a famous engineering firm on the Cornwall of the past two hundred years. A gold watch beside me as I write, engraved with the distinctive “H” logo and the…Continue Reading “Holman – Echoes of an Age”
Paul Phillips and Tony Mansell have transcribed this interesting letter written by John Henry Benney in 1976 to his relation, Joy Stevenson (past Federation of Old Cornwall Society Dialect Recorder). It is largely as written with just a few minor alterations to aid understanding. I went to work [in] Tin Croft mine in 1911…Continue Reading “A Miner’s Letter”
Malcolm Gould brings us the technical aspects of extracting clay, the practical methods used and more than a bit of local colour. A most informative and entertaining read. Historical Origins The name “kaolin” A12Si2O5(OH)4 is derived from “kao ling,” the Chinese for high ridge, because it was first found in such places in the…Continue Reading “The China Clay Industry”
David Oates continues his story of Gwithian Tin Sand Works with a reflection on the Processes and People. In part 1 we saw how ancient geological forces coupled with the industriousness of man over the centuries led to this part of the Red River Valley, and the adjacent shoreline, becoming a depository for tin ore,…Continue Reading “Gwithian Tin Sand Works. Part Two – Processes and People”
David Oates is a frequent contributor to Cornish Story and here he turns his attention to Cornwall’s industrial past as he begins the story of tin extraction at Gwithian. Part two, Processes and People, will follow next month. Tin streaming rates as one of the oldest of Cornish industries with a pedigree stretching back into…Continue Reading “Gwithian Tin Sand Works. Part 1 – Location and Recovery”
Tony Mansell brings us the story of Wheal Busy Mine and a lesson that it does not pay to celebrate success too early. Chacewater Mine is in the area referred to as “the richest square mile on Earth and during its lifetime it produced enormous amounts of copper and to a lesser extent, tin and…Continue Reading “Wheal Busy Mine with “Another Uproar at Chacewater””