Tankerville Mine - Watson's Shaft

On the western edge of the Stiperstones north east of Shelve village and to the south of Shrewsbury, Tankerville was once one of the most productive Lead Mines in the area. The mine was worked for Baryte, Lead, Silver and Zinc between 1865 and 1925.

This engine house was built for a 40" Cornish engine by Harveys of Hayle in 1876. The octagonal chimney served the boiler house. Watson's Engine Shaft eventually became the deepest shaft in the orefield, with a final depth of 1,700ft (523m). Where the shaft 'doglegged' at 500ft (154m), to follow the vein the vertical motion of the pump rods had to be converted to angular motion. This proved very difficult and caused a lot of wear on the pitwork.