MineArchiveLevant Mine man-engine disaster
During a shift change at Levant Mine, a link between the man-engine's reciprocating rod and its surface beam broke, collapsing the engine down the shaft while 130-150 miners were using it.
| Date | 20 October 1919 |
|---|---|
| Mines involved | Levant Mine, Geevor Tin Mine (related workings) |
| Region | Cornwall |
| Type | Winding / Shaft Accident |
| Fatalities | 31 |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A worn or fatigued link connecting the man-engine's reciprocating rod to the beam at surface failed during the shift-change changeover, when the man-engine was under its heaviest load of the day.
What happened
On 20 October 1919, at the start of the afternoon shift change, a link between the man-engine's reciprocating rod and beam broke. The engine collapsed down the shaft while between 130 and 150 miners were using it to travel between levels. 31 men died and many more were injured. The man-engine, installed in 1857, was never repaired, and the deepest sections of the mine it served were never worked again.
Investigation & inquiry
The man-engine was never repaired or replaced; Levant continued working its shallower sections using conventional shaft haulage until closure in 1930.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- 31 men died when the man-engine collapsed during the shift change on 20 October 1919. 1
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Haulage (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s investigation: “…continued working its shallower sections using conventional shaft haulage until closure in 1930.” - Level (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “…while between 130 and 150 miners were using it to travel between levels. 31 men died and many more were injured. The man-engine, installed…” - Man-engine (direct cause)
The disaster was a direct mechanical failure of the man-engine itself. - Shaft (contextual relationship)
The man-engine and the shaft were the same thing here: when the link to the surface beam broke, the whole engine collapsed down the shaft with 130 to 150 miners riding it.
Sources
- (secondary) Accident at Levant Tin Mine 1919 — Northern Mine Research Society
- (secondary) History of Levant Mine and Beam Engine — National Trust
Record created: 20 August 2026 · Last researched: 20 August 2026