Mines of Wendron - Basset & Grylls

Basset & Grylls Grid reference SW693328

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Known at various times during its history as Porkellis United and New Porkellis, Basset and Grylls operated between 1858 and 1913. It produced mainly tin from a number of shafts including Tyacke's; Old Men's; Collins' ; Eathorne and Wheal Cock Shafts. The most visible aspect of the mine today being the pumping engine house over Tyacke's Shaft at Grid ref: SW693328, formerly housing a 60-inch pumping engine.

According to reports in the Mining and Smelting Magazine of 1863, Basset and Grylls was ' One of the most promising mines in the (Wendron) District'. To confirm this reports in Cornish Mines: Metalliferous and Associated Minerals, 1845-1913 (Mineral Statistics of the United Kingdom, 1845-1913) by Roger Burt, state that over 330 tons of Black Tin were produced in 1862 with a value of over £21,000.

For those of you with possibly a little more time to explore, once you've done 'the tourist bit', why not explore Cornwall's industrial heritage through its Tin and Copper Mines or learn more from my Cornish Bookstore