Wendron Mining District - New Wheal Hendra

OS Explorer Map 103: Grid reference SW591281

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New Wheal Hendra was a relatively small tin and copper mine located in Breage parish just inland and to the southeast of Praa Sands. Situated about one and three quarter miles south west of Breage. It worked a single lode from a number of shafts including: Noake's Engine Shaft, Hanson's Shaft, Schorle's Divett's and King's Shaft - after the mine captain.

The original Wheal Hendra ceased working in 1867, from then on the mine, now renamed new Wheal Hendra, was run by a number of companies over the remainder of its working life. Between 1877 and 1878 the mine was run by the 'New Hendra Mining Company', whilst brief reworking of the sett in 1907-08 was under the name of 'Horse Burrow' and 1912-13 as the 'Praa Sands Syndicate'. The only records of output are just over 6 tons of copper and 3.5 tons of black tin.

Thomas Spargo writes in his 'The mines of Cornwall and Devon; Statistics and Observations' (1865) that 'Wheal Hendra is an old mine, formerly called " Wheal Joan," in the parish of Breage, near Helston. Re-commenced working in July, 1860, under the superintendence of Captain Richard King. The lords are Mr. P. C. Simons, of Plymouth, and the Rev. H. M. St. Aubyn. Dues, l-18th. A rotary 12-inch engine is now erected for pumping and stamping. Depth of mine, only 12 fathoms (in 1861). Men employed, 14. Prospects for tin good; in a good tin district; soil, granite. Eight known lodes in the sett. Purser, Mr. William Argall, of Great Wheal Vor.— Abandoned.'

For more information on production dates and so on please see Roger Burt's excellent book Cornish Mines: Metalliferous and Associated Minerals, 1845-1913 (Mineral Statistics of the United Kingdom, 1845-1913) or what is widely regarded as the mining enthusiasts bible by H G Dines - The Metalliferous Mining Region of South-West England: Vols I & II (Economic Memoirs).

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