Wheal Enys

Overview

A small tin mine in the fields behind Porkellis in Wendron parish, also called Wheal Vernon, first mentioned in 1815 and worked as Wheal Enys from 1853 to about 1860. It sold 259 tons of black tin before closing; stone from its pumping engine house built Porkellis Chapel, and its stamps engine house is now a home.

History

Wheal Enys, also known as Wheal Vernon, lies in the fields behind Porkellis in Wendron parish. It is first mentioned in 1815, when shares were advertised; it then had a water engine and ten stamps.

The mine was restarted as a new venture in 1849. Its sett was at least a mile long and took in eight lodes, though none was worked deeper than eight fathoms below adit. From 1853 to 1859 it was called Wheal Enys, with an engine house of 1852, a 40-inch pumping engine and a 30-inch stamps engine, and it sold 259 tons of black tin. A whim is mentioned in an 1856 court case.

Having failed to make a decent profit, the mine closed around 1860 and in April everything was put up for sale, including the engines, 32 heads of stamps and their boilers. The pumping engine house was pulled down and some of its stone used to build Porkellis Chapel. In 1907 a few miners dug trial pits and claimed a rich lode, but nothing came of it.

Geology

Eight tin lodes across a sett at least a mile long.

Workings

Shallow workings to eight fathoms below adit; a water engine and ten stamps in 1815, and from the 1850s a 40-inch pumping engine, a 30-inch stamps engine with 32 heads and a whim.

Closure

Closed around 1860 for lack of profit; the plant was sold that April and the pumping engine house demolished. A trial in 1907 came to nothing.

What remains

The stamps engine house survives on private land, converted into a house after it was bought in 1987; it can be seen from the public footpath beside it.

The converted stamps engine house; stone from the pumping engine house is in Porkellis Chapel.

Redevelopment

The stamps engine house was converted to a private dwelling after 1987.

Recorded claims

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

• Wheal Enys, also called Wheal Vernon, is first mentioned in 1815, when shares were advertised. ¹
• The Wheal Enys engine house dates from 1852. ²
• Working as Wheal Enys from 1853 to 1859, it sold 259 tons of black tin. ¹
• The mine closed around 1860. ^1,3
• Stone from the demolished pumping engine house was used to build Porkellis Chapel. ¹

Photographs & further reading

Sources

1. (secondary) Explore Cornwall: Wheal Enys — Explore Cornwall
2. (secondary) Cornwall Calling: Wheal Enys Mine — Cornwall Calling
3. (primary) BGS / Mining Remediation Authority mine plan: Enys (tin ore), abandoned 1860 — British Geological Survey

Record created: 11 October 2026 · Last researched: 11 October 2026