LEVIATHAN CREEK WORKINGS

LEVIATHAN CREEK WOODS POINT, MANSFIELD SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

LEVIATHAN CREEK WORKINGS

Statement of Significance

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  • History

    LEVIATHAN CREEK WORKINGS - History

    Heritage Inventory History of Site: Gold was found on the Leviathan Creek shortly after the discoveries on Standers Creek. The surface show was rich and by the end of 1866 a water turbine powered battery had been erected and crushing commenced. Yields progressively got poorer and by 1870 it appeared that the mine above the creek was worked out. In that year a shaft was sunk on the opposite side of the creek and a reef was struck at the 80 foot level. Yields were still poor, but the company succeeded in making the mine pay by letting to tributers until the end of 1873, when mining operations were suspended temporarily. Work was resumed in 1877 with a two man tribute party. They reworked the upper levels of the mine over the next ten years and took out small but rich parcels of vein stone which had been thought unprofitable by the company. Towards the end of 1888 the company was revived and the machinery and the battery at the site was renewed. It was probably at this time that the portable engine was replaced by the marine boiler. However, mining again ceased in 1888. The upper ground to the south of the main workings have been prospected in recent years, perhaps with a view to open cut mining, but apparently without success.Between 1866 and 1898 about 11 000 tons of stone were crushed for a return of little more than 8 000 ounces of gold.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    LEVIATHAN CREEK WORKINGS - Heritage Inventory Description

    The Leviathan workings extend roughly south east from the right hand branch of Leviathan Creek on to the ridge between the two branches of that creek. There are two adits almost at creek level, one of which is open for a short distance. Between them, and also at creek level, there is a machinery site which consists of two 5 head stamp batteries, a portable engine, and a Catharall marine return tubular boiler , together with countershafts, bevel gearing and metal chimney flue. On the opposite side of the creek there is a shaft giving access to the two lowest levels of the mine. Scattered at various levels on the slope to the south east there are five more adits, a shaft and some sections of ground where the reef has been stoped up to the surface. At the top of the slope, just west of the ridgeline, all traces of any early workings have been removed by more recent prospecting operations. Water was supplied to the machinery site by the means of a water race which runs around the slope from the left hand branch of Leviathan Creek.

    Heritage Inventory Significance: State. The site is relatively intact

    Heritage Inventory Site Features: Adits (A&B) at creek level.Machinery site.Shaft at creek level.Five adits (C to G) on the slope.Shaft and workings.

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    LEVIATHAN CREEK WORKINGS

    

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