STAR OF ERIN MINE WORKINGS

MOONLIGHT SPUR TRACK KNOCKWOOD, MANSFIELD SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

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    STAR OF ERIN MINE WORKINGS - History

    Heritage Inventory History of Site:
    Milner says that the Star of Erin, about 4 or 5 miles north-east of Enoch's Point, on left-hand branch of Enoch's Creek, was the largest mine on Enoch's Creek, although quite small by Victorian standards.The Star of Erin Reef was worked from 1864. In 1865, five claims amalgamated to form the Star of Erin Co. and to drive a tunnel in search of the main reef. Instead, a new shaft was started. In 1866, an 8-head battery was erected, powered by a 30ft-diameter waterwheel, with a 208-yard tramway connecting mine and battery. Big things were expected; but little was achieved. The company was 'signally unfortunate', its initial crushing proving 'eminently disappointing'. The machinery was blamed, so that the claim was not considered a total failure. The lease was forfeited and the plant sold by the bank.
    In 1898, the Star of Erin Reef was again being worked, having apparently been tried on several occasions in the interim. Murray noted two tunnels and various surface workings and trenches. A water-powered battery was being erected several hundred feet below the workings; only 'very primitive appliances' had been used in the past. Nothing is known of later developments, although Milner's work indicates that a suction gas engine and gas-producer were later employed.
    References:
    Milner, p. 23
    Mining Surveyors' Reports (Big River Subdivision), March & September 1865, March, September & December 1866Murray, pp. 23-4

    Heritage Inventory Description

    STAR OF ERIN MINE WORKINGS - Heritage Inventory Description

    Star of Erin mine workings - these workings are situated on a spur at the head of the left hand branch of Enoch's Creek. Just to the west of the ridge there are several costeans and a quarry where the reef outcropped. Below this the reef has been stoped to the surface and from here a shaft connects to the next level. There are at least four other levels and from the second lowest of these there is an inclined tramway formation down to a battery site at the junction of two small creeks (8123-3-2: 242590). At the head of this formation the brake drum, operating lever and large pulley wheel are still in position and in a remarkably good state of preservation./nBattery - with the exception of a few small battery components, all the machinery at the battery site appears to have been removed. The sites of the waterwheel, battery, and a large building were found, but, due to the overgrown nature of the site, the position of the suction gas engine and the gas producer were not found.

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