East Holmbush Mine

Overview

A copper, tin and silver-lead mine in Stoke Climsland near Kelly Bray, opened as Wheal Tom in 1850 on a Duchy lease and later worked with Holmbush and Kelly Bray as part of Callington United.

History

East Holmbush lay in the parish of Stoke Climsland, in the Callington mining district, close to Kelly Bray; it shipped through Calstock quay, four miles away. It was opened in 1850 by Thomas Bartlett and others as Wheal Tom, and the same partners worked it on as East Holmbush, under a 21-year lease from 1850 at one-fifteenth from the Duchy of Cornwall. By 1856 the ground, granite and killas near Kit Hill, held four or five lodes: the north lode carried killas, spar and mundic spotted with copper ore, and the south adit lode killas, caple and spots of tin. The engine shaft was 36 fathoms deep with crosscuts driven 50 fathoms at the 31-fathom level, and a north shaft 22 fathoms; a 50-inch, 100 hp steam engine worked the mine, with William Rowe as captain and a London secretary.

The mine produced copper, lead and silver. It was worked with Holmbush, Kelly Bray and Redmoor as part of Callington United, and in 1873 the East Cornwall Mineral Railway had a station at Kelly Bray close by, with work expected to restart. The site is now overgrown.

Geology

Four or five east-west lodes in granite and killas near Kit Hill, carrying copper, tin, lead and silver.

Workings

An engine shaft of 36 fathoms with crosscuts at the 31-fathom level and a north shaft of 22 fathoms; a 50-inch steam engine.

Closure

Unknown.

What remains

Overgrown.

Redevelopment

Unknown.

Related mines

• Holmbush Mine — Worked with Holmbush, Kelly Bray and Redmoor as part of Callington United.

What's uncertain

Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.

• During the early 1800s it had a 36-inch pumping engine. (disputed) ²

Recorded claims

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

• East Holmbush was first opened in 1850 by Thomas Bartlett and others as Wheal Tom, and afterwards worked by the same persons as East Holmbush. ¹
• It was held on a 21-year lease from 1850 at 1/15th from the Duke of Cornwall. ¹
• In 1856 the engine shaft was 36 fathoms and the north shaft 22 fathoms, with a 50-inch, 100 hp engine. ¹
• East Holmbush was at times worked with Kelly Bray, Redmoor and Holmbush as part of Callington United. ²
• In 1873 the East Cornwall Mineral Railway had a station at Kelly Bray close to the mine. ²
• During the early 1800s it had a 36-inch pumping engine. (disputed) ²

Sources

1. (secondary) 1856 Mines in Devon and Cornwall — Grace's Guide
2. (secondary) East Holmbush — Cornwall Calling

Record created: 18 October 2026 · Last researched: 18 October 2026