Estimated. Part Great North Downs. situated on the cliffs along Cornwall’s north coast, approximately one and a half miles northeast of Cape Cornwall, within the St. Just mining area of the north Penwith district. It is believed to have been formed through the amalgamation of several smaller and older mines, including Wheal Drea, Wheal Edward, and Wheal Gendall. Boswedden Mine lies southwest of Wheal Owles, while Botallack Mines, including the Crowns Mine, Parknoweth, Wheal Chase, and Wheal Hen, are located northeast.

Although mining activity has been present in this area since the 1700s, Wheal Owles experienced its peak years during the 1860s and 1870s. A piece in Kelly’s Directory for 1873 mentions that the mine, leased from John W. Scobell, had 25 shafts supporting eleven steam engines, with an adit level 300 feet above sea level and extensive underground workings spanning 33 miles. However, the mine’s prosperity was short-lived as metal prices declined in the 1870s, partly due to tin discoveries in Australia and the Great Flat Lode in the Camborne-Redruth Area.

Subsequently, efforts were concentrated on working the Cargodna copper lode and West Wheal Owles Lode on the western section of the Wheal Owles Sett. Ore grades improved to the north, leading to seaward production movement in the 1880s. The remaining structure of the Cargodna winding engine house serves as a reminder of the mine’s history.

Tragedy struck in January 1893 when around 40 miners, working in the undersea levels of Wheal Owles, accidentally breached the flooded old workings of Wheal Drea Mine, located 400 feet below adit level. Despite efforts to save them, 19 miners and one mine boy lost their lives in the flooding. A plaque on the rear of the engine house commemorates this tragic event. More detailed accounts of the incident can be found in reports about The Wheal Owles Disaster.