Amongst the names of those who owned land and mineral rights, for this mining “sett”, were the Harris family. A great portion of Penbeagle Hill, and the farm of Penbeagle was owned by them. Beneath this hill lay extensive workings of the Consols mine, and also the great carbona. Located in the early years of the 1800s, its riches were extracted vigorously, until one Friday, April 12^th, 1844, tragedy struck, in the form of fire. Because of the vast amount of ground and recoverable ore taken from one area, massive timber supports were employed to make this huge cavern safe. The reports of this event state that a miner had stuck a lighted candle in clay to one such timber at the entrance to this place. Leaving it unattended the candle subsequently burned down to the wood, thus igniting it. Although located over 77 fathoms, (462 feet) beneath the surface, it proves how free of water this mining area was, for the fire soon burnt, spread and smoldered for six weeks. When gingerly inspected it is recorded that the remains of those huge timbers were but charred ashes and this whole section of the mine was declared a no-go area. Even with such a valuable part of Consols mine ceasing production, the mine’s other lodes and smaller carbonas, still gave abundantly continuing to give its shareholders the same dividends for many years.

During this period of time, the mine went deeper and located more tin bearing ground, until Stamps Plat shaft was 144 fathoms (664 feet) in depth. The shaft at Stamps Plat would have been worked by means of a ‘horse whim’ and the stamps, buddles and tin tables, took full usage of the Stennack River and what water was pumped by the nearby ‘sump’ engine, whose shaft is just opposite. By the 1850s steam power was not only pumping out what water had accumulated in the mine, but was also assisting the raising and lowering of materials, as well as being employed throughout the mines large surface workings, driving various sets of stamps.

Such was the scene of Cornish mining until 1892 when all operations ceased, and the set of stamps lining the Stennack fell silent; victims of the very low price that tin was receiving, due to discoveries of much cheaper produced tin from other parts of the world. An end of an era? Not quite, as in 1907 the price of tin had made a substantial recovery, thus enabling speculators to think again of this mine’s deposits of recoverable metal bearing ores. Although relatively short lived, Consols did not disappoint those who had faith in her, but again a combination of low prices and too many undertakings being pursued at one time, led in 1917 to its final closure.

In conclusion, it might be of interest to note the Harris connection with the Consols sett. The ‘Ivory Works’ which until recent times employed people, on this old industrial site, was opened and operated by a Mr. Harris. One hopes therefore that future developments, which will undoubtedly be forthcoming in the wake of improved sewage disposal, might have their locations as ‘place names’ thus linking the old with the new?

Time will tell.