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| Jospeh
Carne wrote about the submarine nature of Botallack tin and copper mine
in 1822. This mine was wrought under the sea beyond the memory of any
person now living. The ancient workmen have indeed left a convincing proof
of it by having followed the ore so high as to open a communication between
the sea and the mine. Whether this opening was made whilst they were at
work, or the, sea afterwards broke through the thin barrier which was left,
is not known; it is, however, now stopped by a wooden - platform, on which
is laid a mass of slimy turf, and the whole is covered by the stony fragments
of the beach. At about half spring, the sea flows over it at every return
of the tide. At present, the first level on the Crown lode is about 30 fathoms
below high water mark, and is driven 30 fathoms horizontally; the 40 fathoms
level is driven 10 fathoms, the 65 fathoms level, 30 fathoms,-and the 85
fathoms level, 40 fathoms, all under the sea. In the highest level, the
noise of a heavy sea beating against the.rocks is frequently sufficient
to ternfy the workmen, and even in the deepest part it is distinctly heard.
The water is brakish, but not so in the lower as in the higher levels. A
singular circumstance occurs in the 40 fathoms level: a small quantity of
clear fresh water oozes out at one spot, wliilst all the water around it
is salt. this is perhaps conveyed in a small vein of which the most penetrable
part does not come in contact with the sea. On Huel Button lode, also, there
are two levels at the depth of 40 and 50 fathoms below high water mark,
in which the lode has been pursued under the sea; in the former about 20,
and in the latter 30 fathoms in length. Although the depth of this mine
is 105 fathoms below the adit, the whole of the water drawn by a small steam
engine does not exceed 40 gallons per minute. Botallack mine is now become
one of the Lions of Cornwall, and is an object of as much enquiry, attention,
and admiration, as either the Land's End or the Logan rock; but as its singular
situation and romantic appearance have been the subjects of Dr. Paris's
pen in his "Guide to Mounts Bay,-" I shall not attempt to add to the effect
of his description. |
 Photo Peter Savage © 2000 |
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©St Just Mines Research Group 2000