Wheal Fortune Mine (Ruins)

Physical Description

Located WNW of Northampton and is reached by a track known as Ivans Road, running northwards from the Port Gregory road
immediately east of the Unandara Creek crossing. (Enquire at Wooboara homestead about 1km towards Port
Gregory). Can also be reached by a track leading from the Nooka mine across Northampton Common.
Map Reference
Geological Survey 'Northampton' Sheet 1841 - III zone 1 (1:50 000). (Note that the Port Gregory road configuration
in the mine vicinity has been changed). Australia 1:100 000 topographic survey 'Northampton', Series R611,
Sheet 1841, Edition 1-AAS
Early lead and copper mine and associated stone ruins over an extensive area. There are the remains of several
stone buildings of industrial/mining, and residential origins and some excellent stonework. There are also many
excavations and mine shafts of old lead or copper mines. The 'twenty-one gun' salute to Governor Hampton,
drilled into sheet rock, is easily identifiable (see photographs).
The view over the elevated site, extent of ruins, historic associations and proximity to Northampton (several
kilometres west) provide an excellent opportunity for creating a cultural tourism and interpretive experience on the
historic mining activities in the Shire. This could compliment a similar potential on the Wheal Ellen (Site No. 117)
and State Battery (Site No 88) for an historic perspective and the Baddera Mine site (Site No. 37) for an
interpretive experience of a more recently operating mine.
2004
The mines are reached via Ivans Road, about 5km from Northampton on the Northampton - Port Gregory Road,
east of the Unandara Creek crossing (enquire at Cooloola Homstead, 1 km towards Port Gregory, for permission).
Turn right through the first wire gate and follow the fence to a creek. The Wheal Fortune is up the creek to the
right.
Early lead and copper mine and associated stone ruins over an extensive area (NR035-3) have been documented
in detail by Gibbs (ref. 8). Remnants include those of several stone buildings (NR035-8) of industrial/mining, and
residential origins, displaying and some excellent stonework; a heavily overgrown shaft with an emergent flanged
pipe (NR035-4; possibly that referred to in Ref. 3); and a nearby knapping floor (NR035-5). A former treatment
area downstream from the shaft (NR035-3) includes what are possibly the remains of a small smelter (NR035-6 to
NR035-7).
The 'twenty-one gun' salute to Governor Hampton, drilled into sheet rock, is easily identifiable (see photographs in
Gibbs).

History

1993
Situated about 3 miles north-west of the town of Northampton, the Wheal Fortune was worked for copper between
1859 and 1862 and for lead between 1862 and 1868. With its naming began the custom of using the word 'wheal'
(Cornish for mine) to prefix mine titles in the area, a circumstance that gave a Cornish flavour to the local
nomenclature. The mine was owned by an English company; the chairman of the directors of the Wheal Fortune
Copper Mining Company was Mr. Lionel Samson of Fremantle. In its three years as a copper mine the Wheal
Fortune produced 15,000 pounds of copper. Between 1862 and 1868 lead to the value of 30,000 pounds was
produced. In 1869 the mine was forced to close because the directors failed to provide the money necessary for its
upkeep and development. Many of the buildings fell into ruin and the land was eventually used for sheep grazing.
In his article 'The Champion Bay Country', Alfred Carson relates a story concerning the Wheal Fortune Mine during
Governor Hampton's visit to the district in 1862:
"News had been received by the miners of an impending visit of the Governor. They were a patriotic band of
Cornishmen, anxious to demonstrate fittingly their loyalty to the Queen and her representative. They had no
cannon with which to fire a salute, and as the few fowling pieces they possessed would, they agreed, make a poor
job of a 'feu de joie', they decided on using explosives for their purpose. Twenty-one charges of dynamite were
accordingly laid out and the time fuses so arranged that explosions would take place at minute intervals. The plan
was a complete success, the Governor receiving what must surely have been a unique Royal Salute."
Simpson states that the copper mine was 'worked with Jas. Pemberthy as manager for Capt. Scott the owner in
1863, initially for copper and below 200 ft depth for lead. The mine was equipped with a steam engine, 9' pumps, a

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Low
Modifications: Dismantled Mine

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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