Allens Shaft Botallack Mine. The remains in this area slightly inland all date from the last period of reworking in the early 20th Century.
The shaft sinking commenced in 1906, by the time the mine closed for the final time it had reached a depth of over 1400ft. It was a big shaft, with five compartments it was one of the largest ever sunk in Cornwall. The internal measurements were, 19ft 6″ by 6ft. As was the tradition it was named after one of the directors of the new company, Francis Allen.
Allens Shaft Botallack Mine 1 – A view looking across the foundations of the 1908 Tin processing floors. In the background is the steel headframe over Allen’s Shaft.
New buildings were erected around the shaft, in 1908 a horizontal steam winder was installed, of which the chimney still remains.
A new mill was erected containing 40 heads of Californian Stamps, the foundations for these still remain today. Buddles and a Brunton Calciner are also on the site. A Power Station was also built which would supply power to the mine and the pumps, the wall of this can still be seen today.
Allens Shaft Botallack Mine 2 – I am standing on the foundations of the Californian Stamps. The chimney behind served the Horizontal Steam Winder installed in 1908.
As was often the case the rich lodes hoped for were actually far out to sea with little favorable results inland. Sadly the new venture was not a success, finally closing on March 14th,1914.
Allens Shaft Botallack Mine 3 – A close image of the steel headframe. This was erected in 1985 by Geevor Mine. The winder hose is behind.
During the 1980’s once again there was interest in the site. Geevor Mines Ltd wanted to expand their sett into the Botallack workings in the hope of finding new reserves. At this time the price of Tin was at an all time high.
In 1985 Geevor installed a new steel headframe and winder. Also the shaft was re-conditioned in preparation of being used again. Well laid plans, investment and optimism were all bashed when the price of Tin crashed with the collapse of the International Tin Agreement.
Allens Shaft Botallack Mine 4 – The securely locked top of Allen’s Shaft. Possibly the granite boulder was going a bit too far.
So, after a small amount of production and exploration the site was again sadly abandoned.
Allens Shaft Botallack Mine 5 – The base of one of the legs of the headframe.Allens Shaft Botallack Mine 6 – This was taken using a 16mm Fisheye lens. I like the way the metal has been distorted by the wide angle effect.Allens Shaft Botallack Mine 7 – Using the same lens this is looking out to sea.Allens Shaft Botallack Mine 8 – The winder house and headframe.Allens Shaft Botallack Mine 9 – This is standing close to the winder house looking up at the headframe.Allens Shaft Botallack Mine 10 – Thre area around Allens Shaft Botallack is on private ground. Permission should be attained before entry.Allens Shaft Botallack Mine 11 – Framed well by the gateposts a nice image of the headframe showing the buildings for the winder behind the shaft.Cornish Mine Images 12 – A closer image of the headframe. The building with the sloped roof contained the winder that was installed by Geevor Mine.Cornish Mine Images 13 – This image was taken with a full frame fisheye lens. It has distorted the vertical lines of the headframe so it appears curved.Cornish Mine Images 14 – The buildings around Allens Shaft are quite complete and are now used for storage by the owners.Cornish Mine Images 15 – A view from the rear of the site.Cornish Mine Images 16 – This is the Chimney that served the Horizontal Winder that was installed in 1908.Cornish Mine Images 17 – A view of the headframe, this is framed by the wall surrounding the Count House.Cornish Mine Images 18 – A final image of the headframe to complete the page.
I like this site hence the reason for a separate page. The contrast between the old and the new, along with the history of the place makes photography more interesting. All the images on this page were taken during 2013/14.
The area around Allens Shaft Botallack is on private ground, so please obtain permission before entering.
