Wheal Lucy

Overview

A tin mine on the Black Cliff at the western end of the Towans by Hayle, equipped at great cost in 1871 and named after the mineral owner's daughter; it closed in 1874 having sold 14 tons of black tin.

History

Wheal Lucy lay on the Black Cliff at the western end of the Towans, in Phillack parish a quarter of a mile from Hayle. The sett was earlier known as Riviere Consols or Riviere Mine: adits were driven inland from the cliff and the Carbona lode was worked for 70 fathoms, and a 4-fathom shaft on it was said to have raised a 'rock of tin' weighing 7 cwt, but the mine was abandoned for want of money to buy an engine.

In 1871 a new company took the sett and named it Wheal Lucy after the daughter of Canon Hockin, who owned the mineral rights; the lease, for 21 years from 1871 at one-twentieth, was granted by the Rev. F. Hockin of Phillack. Opened in August 1871, it worked four known lodes in slate and killas from an engine shaft 20 fathoms deep, drained by a 20-inch steam engine, and the cost-book company had 5,000 shares and London offices. Over £5,000 went on machinery and dressing floors and the mine employed 60 men; £765 worth of tin was sold in its first months, but it never paid, and it closed in 1874 having returned 14 tons of black tin for £1,202. A reworking in 1893-96, when tin prices were low, made another heavy loss. The site is now built over with chalets.

Geology

Four lodes in slate and killas, including the Carbona lode.

Workings

Adits from the cliff and an engine shaft 20 fathoms deep with a 20-inch pumping engine and dressing floors.

Closure

Closed in 1874; reworked at a loss in 1893-96.

What remains

Built over with chalets.

Redevelopment

Chalets.

Recorded claims

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

• The sett was known as Riviere Consols; adits were driven inland from the cliff on the Carbona lode, and it was abandoned for lack of funds for an engine. ¹
• In 1871 a new company renamed the sett Wheal Lucy after the daughter of Canon Hockin, who owned the mineral rights. ¹
• Wheal Lucy was opened in August 1871 on a 21-year lease at 1/20th from the Rev. F. Hockin of Phillack, with an engine shaft 20 fathoms deep and a 20-inch engine. ²
• The company spent heavily equipping the mine and employed 60 men; it never paid. ²
• The mine closed in 1874 having returned 14 tons of black tin for £1,202; it was reworked at a loss in 1893-96. ^2,1
• The site is now built over with chalets. ¹

Sources

1. (secondary) The Towans — Wikipedia
2. (secondary) West Wheal Lucy and Wheal Lucy — Cornwall Calling

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