West Wheal Virgin, 1780, 1781

Cornish Mine Engines (18 items).

1298a. West Wheal Virgin. Nov. 1780, Jan. 1781. 18 items.
Single-acting engine, with 52 inch cylinder, 8 foot stroke, chain connection.

General view of the engine; outside front view of the engine marked "this drawing is not correct in the heights"; inside front view of the engine and longitudinal and cross-sections of the boiler - reverse drawing; ground plan of the engine and boiler; longitudinal and cross-sections and ground plan of the engine house - 3 drawings marked in pencil "Nos. 4, 5, 6"; sections and plan of the boiler - original and reverse drawings; eduction pipe, marked "Wheal Virgin No. 5"; bucket door pipes for "Wheal Virgin 18½ inch pump" and "West Wheal Virgin".
The following drawings are all marked as applying to "Wheal Virgin 50 & 52 inch cylinders": plans and sections of condensers - reverse drawing; section of upper nozzle and plan of lower nozzle; chain links for the piston rod chain ("cylinder end"); chain links for the air and hot water pumps and plug tree; martingales - drawings numbered 10, 12, 13, 14; glands and catch pins - 4 drawings on 1 sheet numbered 16-19; piston rod caps - drawing numbered 20. These drawings were used both for this engine and the 50 inch Wheal Maid West engine ordered at the same time.

Original Portfolio or 'Book' No. 13. Catalogue of Old Engines p. 302.

For Consolidated Mines. West Wheal Virgin was a part of Consolidated Mines, which was formed in 1782, when this engine was set to work. It was still at work in May 1798, although according to Dickinson & Jenkins [p. 340] in 1796 it was only being worked occasionally as an auxiliary engine to the 63 inch double-acting engine [see Portfolio 5/1281].