Tregembo Tin Mine · AditNow Community

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Marazion1
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

13 years ago

Hallo all. I am very new to this and have recently dicovered that my GG Grandfather died as a result of an accident at Tregembo mine in 1887 when he was 48 years old. He lived at Perranuthnoe so this mine is very close. Will I be able to find out any more details of this accident?
For several generations my grandfathers were called William Heylock and all of them miners in Cornwall.
I'm happy to put in the leg work, if anyone has any idea where I look. Thanks Jenny

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sputnam
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

Can see it from my bathroom window. Tregembo mine was just to the east of Relubbus near Goldsithney.
For information, the Cornish Studies Library in Redruth is a good place to start if you're not too far away.
Will look through my books where I have a chance, but I doubt I have much information.

Tamarmole
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

The inspector of mines report for 1887 records the death of one "Wm Haylock" aged 48:

"Whilst "stoping" a piece of ground he was taking down in falling slightly injured his toe from which he partially recovered and returned to the mine. Erysipelas then set in, resulting in his death on November 1st."

The accident itself is noted as occuring on Ocober 11th 1887 at Tregembo.

derrickman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

a classic example of the sort of death-by-minor-injury once very common, before the advent of antibiotics.

The diagnosis of "erysipelas resulting from a minor injury" would probably not be accepted today, since it effectively amounts to "just one of those things", but it was well understood at the time.

''the stopes soared beyond the range of our caplamps' - David Bick...... How times change .... oh, I don't know, I've still got a lamp like that.

Marazion1
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

13 years ago

Thanks so much for info. Often stay at Marazion while researching, will see if we can find mine when next down. Jenny

sputnam
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

If you look on the OS map or on Streetmap, you can see the chimneys adjacent to Tregembo House. I don't think there is any public access to the remains though.

Marazion1
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

13 years ago

Thanks again. We will certainly study map and get as close as possible when we are down next year. No doubt have a look at Redruth offices also. My sister and I went down a mine last year and have a huge respect for all men who mine, especially in the 1800's when things were primitive to say the least. We think that many of our aunts and cousins worked above ground also. Why would we complain today? Thanks very much Jenny

Alasdair Neill
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

There was a history of Tregembo Mine published some years ago in the Journal of the Trevithick Society.
Having the date, you could probably get more details of the accident from newspapers (Royal Cornwall Gazette is on 19th Century British Newspapers online, other papers at Cornish Studies Library, & Western Morning News & Western Daily Mercury (often the most detailed) at Plymouth Central Library.
My cousin worked at Tregembo for a long time, had a look over what remains there many years ago.

Marazion1
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

13 years ago

Thanks again. So much wonderful information.

spitfire
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

#10

1883-88 Tregembo sold 140 tons of tin

Oh, by the way, what a refreshing change it makes for someone to actually say thank you when information is given. I have noticed over the years some people join this site to acquire information that at times can take quite a while to collect, after they have gleaned what they want nothing more is heard from them, pure ignorance. 😠

spitfire

carnkie
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

#11

I had a quick look in the Royal Cornwall Gazette and there is nothing about the accident but some of the editions are missing around that date.

It did mention the completion of the new engine house in Jan. 1882. It's actually not that easy to extract info., unless I'm missing something, as the downloaded PDFs are encrypted for © reasons.

The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.

Marazion1
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

13 years ago

#12

All of this information is so useful, Sue and I have spent hours walking around Goldstithney, Relubbus etc and found very little. Can't thankyou all enough, there is certainly enough to research over the winter and we will be in Marazion again in the spring. Thanks again Jenny
PS Do send more info if you have it.

wheal
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

#13

Hi Jenny,

I live in Plain-an-Gwarry next to Goldstithney/Marazion/St Hilary and know the area well and mining remains.
Would be happy to share knowledge and or information on sites and remains. 🙂

poke around long enough and you'll find something..

Marazion1
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

13 years ago

#14

So many wonderful offers of help. Have recently booked in Marazion for next May. In the mean time will research all info so far given. Please don't stop.....if you can us anything more. Thankyou all so much.

PS William Heylocks son, William Heylock (Born 1859,St Erth) was also a miner who disappeared from all records about 1890. We think he emmigrated to USA. Might we also find info about him in Redruth. Otherwise this branch of famliy complete.

Roger L
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

#15

Quite alot of the miners took the boat up the coast to the Barrow-in-Furness area for the coal mining. I traced some of mine up there.

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