Horse Powered Whims - Gold Mining Technologies

Today we're going to take an up close look at the horse powered whim, a crucial machine in the development of Victoria's goldfields.

One of the many important operations in underground mining is the raising of ore, mullock, and water from underground.

Back in Victoria's gold rush, one of the first machines employed for this work was the windlass. But this device was man-powered, and its capabilities were certainly limited.

Steam power was the ultimate solution in 19th century mining. Winding engines and their poppet heads allowed mines to haul far greater weights from far greater depths than simple machines like the windlass. But it's certainly a big leap to go from the man powered windlass to the steam powered winding engine! And that was where the whim came in.

Whims allowed miners to explore deeper ground, bail more water, and raise more ore than the simple man powered windlass, and was far less expensive to put up and run than steam powered machinery.

So let's go take a close look at this brilliant machine, and for this, there are a few very interesting places I've got to show you.

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SPECIAL THANKS TO

Stawell Historical Society -   / stawell-historical-society-100064455952211  

Sovereign Hill - https://www.sovereignhill.com.au/

Sandy Creek Clydesdales - https://www.sandycreekclydesdales.com/

Maldon Vintage Machinery & Museum - https://maldonmachinery.com.au/

Central Deborah - https://www.central-deborah.com/

The Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria
https://www.pmav.org.au

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The Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria

Established in 1980, the Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria is a voluntary body created to protect the rights and opportunities of those who wish to prospect, fossick or mine in the State of Victoria, Australia.

You can support the PMAV in their fight to uphold these rights by becoming a member. You'll also gain access to exclusive publications, field days, prospecting tips, discounts and competitions.

Check out the PMAV website for more information.

https://www.pmav.org.au

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Historical Gold Mining Machinery - A Panoramic View of the Stawell Goldfield -    • Historical Gold Mining Machinery - A Panor...  

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FILMING LOCATIONS

Stawell Historical Society

Sovereign Hill

Maldon Vintage Machinery & Museum

Central Deborah

Lake Goldsmith Steam Rally

Berry No 1 mine (privately owned)

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IMAGES, ITEMS, MAPS AND PLANS

Calvert, S. (1857). Gold digging [picture]. East Melbourne (Vic.): George Slater. State Library Victoria

Panorama of Stawell, Holtermann Collection, 1874. Restored by Karl Meyer.

Model of horse whim - built by Ron Coward, held by the Stawell Historical Society

De Re Metallica, Georgius Agricola, 1556

Whim working on Tribute Duke Mine, Timor? [picture]. (1890). State Library Victoria

HUNTER, S.B., 1909. Primitive methods of alluvial mining, hauling wash-dirt with horse whip. Historic Photos. Department of Mines, Victoria. Geological Survey of Victoria

Horse being lowered down mine shaft - held by the Walhalla Heritage League

Deutsch, H. (Herman). (1864). The Defiance Gold Mining Company, Defiance Lead Sebastopool [sic.] [picture] / Herman Deutsch. State Library Victoria

The Gold Fields and Mineral Districts of Victoria, R. Brough Smyth, 1869

Great Northern Mine, Stawell. Supplied by the Stawell Historical Society

HUNTER, S.B., 1909. Primitive methods of alluvial mining, horse whim for shaft sinking. Historic Photos. Department of Mines, Victoria. Geological Survey of Victoria

Guérard, E. von. (1853). [Windlass over mine shaft] [art original] / Eugene von Guerard. State Library Victoria

Lyall, C. (1850). Horse-Whim at Ballarat [art original] / Charles Lyall. State Library Victoria

HASPER., 1861. Endeavour Company Claim workings on the Victoria Reef, Bendigo. Geological sections through the Main and Whim shafts. Geological Survey of Victoria

South New Moon Mine, shewing old & new style, Bendigo. (1905). State Library Victoria

O'LEARY, D., 1861. Mariners Reef, Maryborough. Plan showing Nos 1 & 2 shafts with mine plant, and section through No 1 shaft. Parish of Maryborough. Plan No 1822/M/10. Geological Survey of Victoria.

Scenes From Ballarat 1852-55-Niven, F. W. Lithographer. State Library Victoria

Long Tunnel Extended, Walhalla

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Researched, written, filmed and produced by Michelle Ross © 2024
https://www.goldfieldsguide.com.au/