Cross Vein Mine

Overview

One of the oldest workings in the Foxdale lead-mining district on the Isle of Man, popularly known as 'Snuff the Wind', worked from 1832 to 1881 in close association with the larger neighbouring Beckwith Mine.

History

Cross Vein Mine, also recorded as Cross's Mine or Cronk Vane -- Manx Gaelic for 'White Cross' -- and popularly known by the nickname 'Snuff the Wind', is one of the oldest workings in the Foxdale area, dated prior to 1810. It was worked industrially from 1832 by the Isle of Man Mining Company, usually in conjunction with the larger, more extensive Beckwith Mine two-thirds of a mile to the west, exploiting a vein of lead ore that was, at times, temporarily very productive. The mine was developed via two shafts around 240 feet apart: the engine shaft, and the whim shaft, so named because it was originally worked with the help of a horse-powered gin or whim, alongside a house built for a Cornish beam pumping engine. The deeper of the two shafts reached around 500 feet, producing ore that was at times almost solid galena. The mine was stripped in 1843 before being reopened in 1866, after which it was worked alongside Beckwith Mine until Cross Vein's final closure in 1881.

Geology

Lead in the Foxdale mineral belt on the Isle of Man, the deeper of two shafts reaching about 500 feet into ore that was at times almost solid galena.

Workings

Developed via two shafts around 240 feet apart -- the engine shaft and the whim shaft, the latter originally worked by a horse-powered gin -- with a house built for a Cornish beam pumping engine; the deeper shaft reached around 500 feet.

Closure

Stripped in 1843; reopened in 1866 and worked alongside Beckwith Mine until final closure in 1881.

What remains

Surface remains survive at the site, a well-known local landmark under its popular name 'Snuff the Wind'.

Surface remains of the engine and whim shafts, including the pumping-engine house site.

Related mines

• Beckwith Mine — The two Foxdale mines were usually worked in conjunction by the Isle of Man Mining Company, sharing a vein and eventually working alongside each other until Cross Vein's 1881 closure.

Recorded claims

Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.

• Cross Vein Mine is one of the oldest workings in the Foxdale area, dated prior to 1810, and was worked industrially from 1832 by the Isle of Man Mining Company, usually in conjunction with the larger neighbouring Beckwith Mine. ¹
• The mine was developed via two shafts around 240 feet apart -- the engine shaft and the horse-whim-worked whim shaft -- the deeper reaching around 500 feet and producing ore that was at times almost solid galena. ¹
• The mine was stripped in 1843, reopened in 1866, and worked alongside Beckwith Mine until final closure in 1881. ^2,1

Photographs & further reading

Sources

1. (secondary) Cross Vein Mine Foxdale, popularly known as Snuff the Wind — Manx Scenes Photography
2. (secondary) beckwiths mine — Manx Mines

Record created: 31 August 2026 · Last researched: 31 August 2026