The mine was sunk in 1838 closed in 1932. Wellington was a 'fiery' mine, and was the scene of many accidents including a major disaster claiming 132 lives in May 1910.
The striking“Candlestick” chimney is a landmark for the area, overlooking the harbour. The chimney is really an air vent for the workings rather than a chimney.
Another feature of the mine to survive is a white crenellated building nearby, which was the entrance lodge for the pit. The ‘castle’ style construction of many of the mining remains in this area was part of Sydney Smirke's ‘medievalization’ of the pits in the 1850’s.
Near the chimney are a group of small buildings which when I visited I was told may have been a winding house (10.12.08) by a local.
A plaque on the wall below the chimney commemorates all the “Men, Women and Children” of the Whitehaven District Collieries who lost their lives in the local pits.