does anybody know any thing about the history of this mine?
Here's what little I have from Newspaper articles: -
South Wheal Josiah: - In shoding, several large lodes have been cut; one is of considerable promise, and has been productive, on the other side of the river, a cross-cut from the Tamar in Wheal Maria is being driven towards it.
Devonport Journal: Thursday 21st December 1848. p.2.
South Wheal Josiah Mine: - I find the lode in the adit end much improved in appearance in the last 2 fathoms driving, and is now about 3 ft. wide, composed of a leader of mundic and white prian on the south wall, about 16-inches wide; the other parts of the lode are spar, flookan, mundic, and grey ore, mixed together, and I think will shortly improve, as we approach towards the great cross course, where we may expect a quantity of copper. In the pitch in the bottom of the adit the lode is improving, and the tributers are bringing out some fine work; the lode is about 3 feet wide, and I think will turn out to be the top of a fine bunch of ore. They have began to dress the ore, and it is turning out well.
Mining Journal: Saturday 5th May 1849.
South Wheal Josiah: - I have recently visited this mine and furnish you my opinion of the sett and prospects. The end is still driving in favourable ground, and the lode is improved within the last 10 days, and is now from 3 to 4 feet wide, carrying a large quantity of mundic and good stones of copper ore. A pitch has been set in the back of the adit at 5s in £1 by two men; the lode is looking well, and. If the ore holds, the men will make fair wages. About two tons of very good ore have been broken this week, and the prospects generally are very encouraging.
Devonport Journal: Thursday 16th August 1849.
South Wheal Josiah: - We are still driving the adit end, and have a large promising lode, with some mundic, and a little black ore. In the winze sinking we have a fine lode 3 ft. wide, with good work for ore in it – saving work. We find the water very little in sinking ; the prospects here are very encouraging. They have a good lode at Hingston Down Consols, immediately adjoining us, and our mine occupies the whole of the ground between Devon Great Consols and Hingston Down.
Mining Journal: No 750. p.4: Saturday 5th January 1850.
South Wheal Josiah: - I am glad to inform you, that we have some improvement in the mine. We brought from the end some fine stones of ore, from 10 lbs. to 15 lbs. in weight, and it appears to be coming in at the bottom of the end. The winze in the bottom of the adit is also looking better.
Mining Journal: No 757. p.89: Saturday 23rd February 1850.
South Wheal Josiah: - The two monthly meeting of the shareholders in this mine, was held on the 22nd March, W.W. Rowe. Esq., in the chair, when the accounts were exhibited and passed. The concern was divided into 1024 shares instead of 256, and no shareholder was to hold less than four shares. The reports of John Hitchens, Esq., and Captain Hambly on the mine were read to the meeting and were deemed very satisfactory.
Devonport Journal: Thursday 3rd April 1851.
Regards Tin Miner