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Bay Mine

Wanlockhead, Whyte's Cleugh, Dumfriesshire.

Named after Botany Bay in Australia. 1789 saw the opening of the pumping/main shaft at Bay Mine. The mine appears to have operated from 1790 to 1919. This mine is famed for being the site of William Symington's Improved Atmospheric Engine. [aditnow]

Alternate Names: Charles Mine

Notes: The discovery of lead around the area is generally attributed to Dutch gold prospector, Cornelius de Vois, locally referred to as Cornelius Hardskin. Vois was active in this area at the end of the 1560's, however records show that mining activity was present as early as 1512. In these early days, gold and silver was being searched for, usually by the means of hushing in the hope of exposing any veins. Some native gold was found and even nuggets have made appearances, but most of what was recovered, was by panning or sluicing. No native silver was found, and only when lead mining was started did some recovery of silver occur via the process of smelting lead ore. Due to the general failure in finding any rich veins, the area was abandoned at the beginning of the 17th century. [mineexplorer]

At Bay Mine Site (NS 868 137) there is a stone column for a water engine and the pit of a large waterwheel. Excavations by Glasgow University Summer Schools in 1972-4 revealed foundations of engine- and boiler-houses, including the stone base for an engine built by William Symington. [Canmore]

Hydrographic Feeds: Whyte's Cleugh Burn

Hydrographic Resurgences: Previously Wanlock Water (or via drainage level to Leadhills).