Volume 033-2 - April 1979 (10 pages)

1. THE SNEATH-CLAY/PHOENIX CORNISH PUMP. A report to the Members of the Nevada County Historical Society. The following report is intended to bring Society members up to date on a significant project, undertaken in their name. In the fall of 1977, volunteers from the Nevada County Historical Society and from Sierra College started the task of moving the Cornish pump engine at the Sneath-Clay mine, located near Gold Flat, under the general direction of Glen Jones. The pump was to be taken to the Society’s Mining Museum on Allison Ranch Road. The work of dismantling the huge engine, some parts of it weighing many tons, was the beginning of a process which had as its goal the reconstruction of the pump to working condition as part of the Museum’s mining exhibit. This particular pumping system is probably one of the last examples of its kind. Of the hundreds that have been used throughout the world until the start of this century only it, and perhaps a few others, survive. The Cornish pump is certainly one of the most important elements of the history of Nevada County and the American West in general. The cry of “Gold in rock” exclaimed by George Crandel at the Boston Ravine in Nevada County set in motion a chain of events which culminated in successful mining ventures in Nevada County, the Comstock and then throughout the Trans-Mississippi West. Yet, without the application of the Cornish beam pumping engine to the task of water removal, these fantastic events of western, national and international history might never have happened!. The pumping engine and its surface “bob” or bell crank from the SneathClay/Phoenix mine site are very significant. This is not only due to the fact that they are one of the last of a once numerous breed, but also that they will still operate after reconstruction. Unlike most of its fellow pumps which were dismantled and sold for salvage (like the old North Star Cornish pump, which was melted down for scrap during the Second World War) the Sneath-Clay pump escaped destruction”. Because of its historical significance, the pump will be nominated to the National Register of Historic Objects as part of the overall restoration project. The decision of the Society to undertake the preservation of this Cornish pump engine was made after many early attempts had failed. According to a 1967 article by Elisabeth L. Egenhoff, ideas for preserving it had been around for a long time. She reported that for many years, the late H. P. Davis, a long time resident and historian of the County’s mining industry, had tried to stimulate interest in its preservation. His idea was to have it set asideina special park of its own for future generations to enjoy. Perhaps in response to his promptings numerous local service clubs considered taking action, but none took any concrete steps*. In 1975 a serious step was taken toward protection of the pump by Jim Slayton of the Prospectors and Miners Association of the Americas. This group was originally formed to stimulate information and interest in mining activities. Slayton believed that the Sneath-Clay/ Phoenix site would be a perfect place to set up a national headquarters for the Association. Slayton and others, associated with this organization, worked to clean up the site and began preservation of the pump as the chief attraction of its museum‘. For undisclosed reasons this group gave up on its project and the pump again was abandoned to the devastating forces of time, the elements and vandals at the unprotected site. 8 SNEATH-CLAY/PHOENIX MINE AND PHOTO BY MICHAEL HALE. CORNISH: PUMP, 1977.

1. THE SNEATH-CLAY/PHOENIX CORNISH PUMP. A report to the Members of the Nevada County Historical Society. The following report is intended to bring Society members up to date on a significant project, undertaken in their name. In the fall of 1977, volunteers from the Nevada County Historical Society and from Sierra College started the task of moving the Cornish pump engine at the Sneath-Clay mine, located near Gold Flat, under the general direction of Glen Jones. The pump was to be taken to the Society’s Mining Museum on Allison Ranch Road. The work of dismantling the huge engine, some parts of it weighing many tons, was the beginning of a process which had as its goal the reconstruction of the pump to working condition as part of the Museum’s mining exhibit. This particular pumping system is probably one of the last examples of its kind. Of the hundreds that have been used throughout the world until the start of this century only it, and perhaps a few others, survive. The Cornish pump is certainly one of the most important elements of the history of Nevada County and the American West in general. The cry of “Gold in rock” exclaimed by George Crandel at the Boston Ravine in Nevada County set in motion a chain of events which culminated in successful mining ventures in Nevada County, the Comstock and then throughout the Trans-Mississippi West. Yet, without the application of the Cornish beam pumping engine to the task of water removal, these fantastic events of western, national and international history might never have happened!. The pumping engine and its surface “bob” or bell crank from the SneathClay/Phoenix mine site are very significant. This is not only due to the fact that they are one of the last of a once numerous breed, but also that they will still operate after reconstruction. Unlike most of its fellow pumps which

were dismantled and sold for salvage (like the old North Star Cornish pump, which was melted down for scrap during the Second World War) the Sneath-Clay pump escaped destruction”. Because of its historical significance, the pump will be nominated to the National Register of Historic Objects as part of the overall restoration project. The decision of the Society to undertake the preservation of this Cornish pump engine was made after many early attempts had failed. According to a 1967 article by Elisabeth L. Egenhoff, ideas for preserving it had been around for a long time. She reported that for many years, the late H. P. Davis, a long time resident and historian of the County’s mining industry, had tried to stimulate interest in its preservation. His idea was to have it set asideina special park of its own for future generations to enjoy. Perhaps in response to his promptings numerous local service clubs considered taking action, but none took any concrete steps*. In 1975 a serious step was taken toward protection of the pump by Jim Slayton of the Prospectors and Miners Association of the Americas. This group was originally formed to stimulate information and interest in mining activities. Slayton believed that the Sneath-Clay/ Phoenix site would be a perfect place to set up a national headquarters for the Association. Slayton and others, associated with this organization, worked to clean up the site and began preservation of the pump as the chief attraction of its museum‘. For undisclosed reasons this group gave up on its project and the pump again was abandoned to the devastating forces of time, the elements and vandals at the unprotected site. 8 SNEATH-CLAY/PHOENIX MINE AND PHOTO BY MICHAEL HALE. CORNISH: PUMP, 1977.