Fifty thousand tons of lead ore. That’s what Beckwith’s Vein Lead Mine yielded. A staggering sum of money for its time. This remarkable mine in Glen Rushen is the westernmost of the Foxdale group. It’s a testament to the Manx mining industry’s heyday.
Beckwith’s Vein Lead Mine wasn’t just any mine. Its story begins rather unusually. It all started in 1831. A cartwheel. A simple cartwheel. Lead ore was found stuck in its spokes. This chance discovery led to a massive operation.
The vein itself was known as the Foxdale shear. It stretched east to west. It passed through several other mines including Cross’s mine and Dixon’s mine. Thirteen mines in total were connected by this rich vein. The mine’s early years weren’t without their challenges. Water proved to be a constant problem. Flooding frequently hampered progress.
The mine kept expanding reaching a depth of thirty-five fathoms by 1838. Their existing pump struggled to cope. William Jones a company director ordered a forty foot water wheel from Foxdale. It was reassembled in Glen Rushen to improve pumping capacity. The depth increased further to fifty fathoms by 1840. But work stopped that year. An exceptionally dry summer meant there wasn’t enough water to power the wheel. The solution? A fifty inch steam engine imported from Wales. This solved the flooding issues temporarily.
Beckwith’s Vein Lead Mine eventually reached its terminal depth. One hundred and eighty-five fathoms deep by 1850. Despite the perpetual water troubles the mine was productive until 1879. It closed that year bringing an era to an end.
Today. The leaning chimney stands as a silent sentinel. It’s a testament to Beckwith’s Vein Lead Mine’s history. The surface remains are well-preserved. Parts of the buildings still stand. The washing floors were even excavated and documented by the Manx Mines Research Group in 1970. They have unfortunately suffered damage over time from motorcycle use.
Exploration of the mine’s underground workings revealed a total passage of 1600 feet. That was before a roof fall. Then in 1996 the engine shaft unexpectedly collapsed. The mines group rebuilt and capped it within six weeks. The site stands as a poignant reminder of the Isle of Man’s rich mining heritage. A heritage largely built upon the discovery of lead ore in a humble cartwheel.