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Goldscope Mine, Above Derwent
Goldscope Mine
Gotes Gab
God's Gift Mine
locality:-   Scope End
locality:-   Newlands Valley
civil parish:-   Above Derwent (formerly Cumberland)
county:-   Cumbria
locality type:-   copper mine
locality type:-   lead mine
locality type:-   mine
coordinates:-   NY22771854 (etc) 
1Km square:-   NY2218
10Km square:-   NY21
SummaryText:-   there are workings west as well as east of the ridge
references:-   Adams, John: 1988: Mines of the Lake District Fells: Dalesman Books (Lancaster, Lancashire):: ISBN 0 85206 931 6


photograph
BOK70.jpg (taken 19.1.2008)  
photograph
BOK71.jpg (taken 19.1.2008)  
What you see from the road is not very much.

evidence:-   old map:- OS County Series (Cmd 70 1) 
placename:-  Goldscope
source data:-   Maps, County Series maps of Great Britain, scales 6 and 25 inches to 1 mile, published by the Ordnance Survey, Southampton, Hampshire, from about 1863 to 1948.

evidence:-   probably old map:- Badeslade 1742
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, A Map of Cumberland North from London, scale about 11 miles to 1 inch, with descriptive text, by Thomas Badeslade, London, engraved and published by William Henry Toms, Union Court, Holborn, London, 1742.
image  click to enlarge
BD10.jpg
"Copper Mines"
labelled W of Derwent Water 
item:-  JandMN : 115
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   probably old map:- Bowen and Kitchin 1760
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, A New Map of the Counties of Cumberland and Westmoreland Divided into their Respective Wards, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Emanuel Bowen and Thomas Kitchin et al, published by T Bowles, Robert Sayer, and John Bowles, London, 1760.
image
BO18NY11.jpg
"Copper Mines"
spots, by Newlands Beck 
item:-  Armitt Library : 2008.14.10
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old map:- Donald 1774 (Cmd) 
placename:-  Gold Skop Copper Mines
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, 3x2 sheets, The County of Cumberland, scale about 1 inch to 1 mile, by Thomas Donald, engraved and published by Joseph Hodskinson, 29 Arundel Street, Strand, London, 1774.
image
D4NY21NW.jpg
"Gold Skop Copper Mines"
crosses (+) 
image
D4NY21NW.jpg
"Skop"
block or blocks, W of the ridge 
item:-  Carlisle Library : Map 2
Images © Carlisle Library

evidence:-   descriptive text:- West 1778 (11th edn 1821) 
item:-  coppergold
source data:-   Guide book, A Guide to the Lakes, by Thomas West, published by William Pennington, Kendal, Cumbria once Westmorland, and in London, 1778 to 1821.
image WS21P130, button  goto source
Page 130:-  "... But whoever takes a ride up Newland vale [1], will be agreeably surprised with some of the finest solemn pastoral scenes they have"
"[1] Here, in a hill called Gold-scope, are the remains of a famous ancient copper-mine, which exhibit some curious excavations, called the Pen-holes. One shaft, reaching from the top of the hill to the bottom (into which, if a large stone be let fall, it occasions a most tremendous noise) is met by a level passage, cut quite through the mountain, along which a stream of water (from Bank-beck) was conveyed to turn a draining wheel, at its meeting with the shaft."
"These mines were wrought in Henry 8th's time, and some of the succeeding reigns. But the metal yielding a considerable quantity of gold, they came to be considered as royal mines, and occasioned a dispute between the crown and the duke of Somerset, then lord of the manor, and a discontinuance of the works. In 1757, Mr. Gilbert and company drained them to the very bottom, at the expense of about 100l. but did not find the metal such, or so plentiful, as to encourage them to proceed on at so prodigious a depth."
"X."

evidence:-   old text:- Clarke 1787
source data:-   Guide book, A Survey of the Lakes of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire, written and published by James Clarke, Penrith, Cumberland, and in London etc, 1787; published 1787-93.
image CL13P060, button  goto source
Page 60:-  "... Cambden, indeed, mentions, that copper mines were wrought in his time in New-Lands: he wrote in 1587, only two hundred years ago, yet not a vestige of tradition concerning any of these works can be traced. The Earl of Derwentwater is said to have drained this country of its inhabitants, many of whom perished, and the rest were afraid to return: yet surely some tradition might be expected; some old woman might tell her grand-children who it was that cut these subterraneous caverns. ..."

evidence:-   old text:- Clarke 1787
placename:-  Goldscope
placename:-  Gold Scalp
item:-  copperleadgoldsilverCivil War
source data:-   Guide book, A Survey of the Lakes of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire, written and published by James Clarke, Penrith, Cumberland, and in London etc, 1787; published 1787-93.
image CL13P085, button  goto source
Page 85:-  "..."
"It is not amiss, indeed, to take a ride into Newlands, to see Goldscope, or rather I would call it Gold-Scalp, and other places, where those once very valuable mines of copper were. Denton says they were wrought in King Henry the VIII's time: Nicholson and Burn say they were discovered in Queen Elizabeth's time by Thomas Thurland, and Daniel Hetchletter a German of Augsburg, (see Cambden, p.523.) which occasioned a suit between the Queen and Thomas then Earl of Northumberland, Lord of the Manor. In regard of the Queen's prerogative, (there being in these mines more gold and silver than copper or lead,) they were, by ancient law, the property of the Queen. Up in the Defendant's putting in a demurrer in law, it was agreed, that where the gold and silver extracted out of the copper or lead was of greater value than the copper or lead, it was then a Royal mine: But by the act 1st of William, no mine of copper, tin, lead, or iron shall from henceforth be deemed a Royal mine, provided that the gold or silver extracted be disposed of at the King's mint within the Tower of London: But smuggling of the metal arising to a great height, and disputes arising, another act was passed the 5th of William, cap. 6. wherein the owners of mines shall enjoy them; provided, nevertheless, that the King may have the ore of any mine, paying to the proprietors for the same, (the tin-ore within the counties of Devon and Cornwall excepted,) within thirty days after the ore shall be raised, and before it be removed, the following prices, viz. For every ton of copper sixteen pounds, for tin and iron forty shillings a ton, for every ton of lead nine pounds. Some authors say that these mines were then so valuable that they served the whole kingdom, and much of it was also exported. In the civil wars in 1650 and 1651 the smelting houses were destroyed, and most of the miners either killed or followed Oliver Cromwell: afterwards the Dutch, who came with William Prince of Orange, began the work again, and partly repaired the mills; the work was very rich, which caused the two acts before-mentioned to be passed, but the Dutch were driven from it in 1715, and it is now entirely lost, though Mr Gilberts has been lately at the expence of clearing the old level, but without effect."

evidence:-   old text:- Camden 1789
placename:-  
item:-  coppersilvergold
source data:-   Book, Britannia, or A Chorographical Description of the Flourishing Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by William Camden, 1586, translated from the 1607 Latin edition by Richard Gough, published London, 1789.
image CAM2P170, button  goto source
Page 170:-  "..."
"... in which [Derwent Fells] at Newlands and elsewhere were rich veins of copper with some little gold and silver, opened afresh in our time by Thomas Thurland and Daniel Hotchstetter, a German, being well known before as appears from the Close rolls of Henry III. n. 18. A remarkable suit about them was carried on between the late queen Elizabeth and Thomas Percy earl of Northumberland, on whose estate the land was; but it was determined in favour of the queen, in regard of the royal prerogative and the veins of gold and silver in these mines. So far from truth is that observation of Cicero in his epistle to Atticus: "This is certain, that there is not a grain of silver in the whole island of Britain." Nor would Caesar have said, that the Britans imported all the copper they used, had he known of these mines, these copper works not only being sufficient for all England, but great quantities of the copper exported every year. ..."

evidence:-   old text:- Camden 1789 (Gough Additions) 
item:-  Civil War
source data:-   Book, Britannia, or A Chorographical Description of the Flourishing Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by William Camden, 1586, translated from the 1607 Latin edition by Richard Gough, published London, 1789.
image CAM2P181, button  goto source
Page 181:-  "..."
"The rich copper mine at Newlands are said to have served all England and divers places beyond sea; but the works being destroyed and the miners killed in the civil war, they have never since been worked to any account."

evidence:-   descriptive text:- Otley 1823 (5th edn 1834) 
item:-  geology
source data:-   Guide book, A Concise Description of the English Lakes, the mountains in their vicinity, and the roads by which they may be visited, with remarks on the mineralogy and geology of the district, by Jonathan Otley, published by the author, Keswick, Cumberland now Cumbria, by J Richardson, London, and by Arthur Foster, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, 1823; published 1823-49, latterly as the Descriptive Guide to the English Lakes.
image OT01P154, button  goto source
Page 154:-  "... A copper mine had formerly been worked to a great depth in a hill called Gold Scalp, in Newlands, and is said to have produced a very rich ore, which appears to have been a yellow sulphuret or copper pyrites. A little cobalt ore has been got in Newlands, and small quantities of manganese in various places. ..."

evidence:-   old text:- Postlethwaite 1877 (3rd edn 1913) 
placename:-  Goldscope Mine
item:-  copper ore
source data:-   Book, Mines and Mining in the English Lake District, by John Postlethwaite, Keswick, published by W H Moss and Sons, Whitehaven, Cumberland now Cumbria, 1877; published 1877-1913.
image PST3p074, button  goto source
page 74:-  "In 1561 a Company was incorporated for the purpose of working Goldscope and Dale Head Mines, where copper ore was found in great abundance. This was very probably the first Mining Company formed in the North of England, and undoubtedly the most aristocratic, as it was patronised by aldermen, noblemen, high officers of state, and even royalty itself. ..."

evidence:-   old text:- Postlethwaite 1877 (3rd edn 1913) 
placename:-  Goldscope Mine
placename:-  Gowd Scalp Mine
item:-  Gowd Scalp veinGold Scalp veinLong Work veinSt Thomas's veinCivil Wargalenacopper pyritessilvergold
source data:-   Book, Mines and Mining in the English Lake District, by John Postlethwaite, Keswick, published by W H Moss and Sons, Whitehaven, Cumberland now Cumbria, 1877; published 1877-1913.
image PST3p076, button  goto source
page 76:-  "GOLDSCOPE MINE."
"This mine is situated at the upper end of the Vale of Newlands, in a mountain bearing the same name. It embraces two lead veins, about sixty fathoms apart, which run nearly parallel to each other in a north-easterly and south-westerly direction; and a copper vein which runs east by north and west by south, and intersects the lead veins diagonally. The latter hades towards the south-east, and the former, south by east. The copper vein has contained rich deposits of ore, measuring in some places nine feet in thickness. The east, or Goldscope lead vein, has also been very rich in ore; it is an unusually large vein, varying from ten to fourteen feet in width, but although large and well mineralised below, it is so contracted and poor at the surface that it had almost entirely escaped the observation of the old miners. The west, or Sealby's vein, has also produced some ore, but it is much smaller than the east vein."
"The ores which these veins produce are galena and copper pyrites; the latter is very rich in silver, and also contains a small portion of gold, from which the mine has derived its name."
"Goldscope has been an important mine since the early part of the thirteenth century, being mentioned in the Close Rolls of Henry III., and in Gibson's Camden's Britannia ..."
image PST3p078, button  goto source
page 78:-  "..."
"The quarrel between Queen Elizabeth and Earl Percy [over royal prerogative over the mine] culminated in armed rebellion by that nobleman, in which he was defeated and afterwards beheaded, and his head was exposed on one of the gates of York."
"In Robinson's Natural History of Westmorland and Cumberland, published in 1709, we are informed that "most of the judicious miners and chymists in England were concerned in the tryal, either as of the jury or evidence. The verdict was given for the Queen, and as the German books give account, a hundred tun of ore was entered upon by the Queen's agents.""
"Respecting the mine, he says, "In our survey of the mountains of Newlands we found eleven veins opened and wrought by the Germans; all distinguished by names given to them, as Gowd-Scalp, now Gold-Scalp, Long-Work, St. Thomas' Work, &c., of all which veins the richest was that they called Gowd-Scalp. We found the vein wrought three yards wide, and twenty fathoms deep above the grand level, which is driven in a hard rock a hundred fathom, and only with pick-axe, hammer, and wedge, the art of blasting with gunpowder being not then discovered. For securing of this rich vein, no cost of the best oak wood was spared; and for the recovering of the soles under the level was placed a water gin, and water was brought to it in troughs of wood upon the tops of high mountains, near half-a-mile from the vein.""
"This rich vein, and several more in the mountains of Newlands, are now laid open and recovered by his Grace the Duke of Somerset; and likewise smelt-houses, furnaces, and all other conveniences are made ready by his Grace for setting forward a great work. But it may be presumed that the discouragement his Grace met with, which at present hath put a stop to so noble a project, was his meeting with an ignorant operator, who, understanding not the nature of the ore, burnt and destroyed fifty tun of the best Gold-Scalp ore without the production of one pound of fine copper.""
"After the mine had been wrought continuously for about eighty-five years, it was closed abruptly by the civil wars in 1650 or 1651, and most of the miners were either killed or drafted into Cromwell's Army. ..."
image PST3p079, button  goto source
page 79:-  "..."
"We must now pass over an interval of 130 years, of which there is no record; but it is most probable that the mine was closed during the greater part of that time. It was reopened by a private Company, consisting of William Clemence, senr., William Clemence, junr., John Bowden and John Floyd, to whom a lease was granted on the 10th March, 1847. The first-named gentleman acted as manager, and being of a very sanguine disposition, he proceeded to erect costly dressing machinery, and roasting furnaces, before ascertaining that there was sufficient ore to warrant the outlay. The result was that they were obliged to offer the mine for sale at the end of eighteen months, during which they had expended L5,000. It was purchased by another private Company, consisting of Andrew Richard Clarke, Charles Nicholas Patrick Chapman, George William Horn, and Thomas Hart; ..."
"This Company, instead of expending their capital upon machinery of doubtful utility, began to explore new ground, by driving forward the adit level (the "grand level" mentioned by Robinson), in search of fresh deposits of copper, and also pushed on the workings in the shaft below the level. They also opened an old lead mine, named Yewthwaite, about a mile and a half east of Goldscope."
"The success of Messrs. Clarke and Co. in raising copper was no greater than that of their predecessors; indeed up to November, 1850, they had only raised 32 tons 12 cwt., value ~137 10s. 7d.; the lead raised at Yewthwaite, prior to that date, was 35 tons 2 cwt., value L380 12s.; and the mines were in debt ~3,726 7s.4d. At this time the partnership was reduced to two; Mr. Hart became unable to contribute his quota of the working expenses, and his"
image PST3p080, button  goto source
page 80:-  "share was forfeited on the 31st May, 1850. Two years later (23rd April, 1852), Mr. Chapman relinquished his shares, and sailed for Australia, hoping to find at the gold diggings the fortune he had failed to realize in the Newlands Mountains; ..."
"Mr. Clarke was now left to continue the struggle alone, and his unwavering perseverance was ultimately rewarded by the discovery of a deposit of ore, which far exceeded his highest expectations. This occurred in September, 1852. The adit level at Goldscope had been driven forward, along the Copper vein, about 60 fathoms from the old shaft; at this point the east Lead vein was cut, and a rich deposit of Lead ore discovered at the junction. The deposit of ore measured fifteen fathoms in length, and contained one rib of solid ore, three feet in thickness, besides three or four smaller ribs, varying from three to eight inches in thickness, and making a total of upwards of four feet of solid ore. After heading it out nearly to the surface, a height of 27 fathoms, a shaft was sunk, and the ore stoped out to the depth of 82 fathoms below the adit level. In the lower part of the mine the ore contracted to less than one-third of its former thickness, but its length increased to 45 fathoms."
"The amount of profit realized in stoping out the ore below the adit level, was about L25,000; and although there are no data available respecting the ground above the level, it is very probable that it would return a profit, almost, if not quite, equal to the amount realized below, as the produce of the vein above the adit level was more than three times greater, and the cost of cutting it much less than that below the level."
"..."
image PST3p081, button  goto source
page 81:-  "The mine continued to return large profits for many years, but ultimately the shaft became so deep that the 40 feet water-wheel which pumped the water from it was no longer able to perform its allotted task; therefore, it became necessary either to expend a large sum of money in new and powerful machinery, or to abandon the mine; and as the executors, or rather trustees, were restrained by prudential considerations from risking their wards' money, the latter course was adopted, and the mine abandoned in 1864."

evidence:-   old map:- Postlethwaite 1877 (3rd edn 1913) 
placename:-  Goldscope Mine
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, Map of the Lake District Mining Field, Westmorland, Cumberland, Lancashire, scale about 5 miles to 1 inch, by John Postlethwaite, published by W H Moss and Sons, 13 Lowther Street, Whitehaven, Cumberland, 1877 edn 1913.
image
PST2NY21.jpg
"Goldscope Mine"
mine symbol 
item:-  JandMN : 162.2
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   mine plan:- Postlethwaite 1877
placename:-  Goldscope Mine
source data:-   Print, drawing, mine sections, Goldscope Mine, Above Derwent, Cumberland, scale about 1 to 2900, by John Postlethwaite and by J D Kendal, published by W H Moss and Sons, 13 Lowther Street, Whitehaven, Cumberland, 1877 edn 1913.
image  click to enlarge
PST315.jpg
On p.77 of Mines and Mining in the English Lake District, by John Postlethwaite. 
printed, lower left  "Reduced from the Original Section by / J. POSTLETHWAITE"
printed, lower right  "Enlarged by J. POSTLETHWAIRE from the / Section in "Mineral Veins of the Lake / District" by J. D. Kendal C.E., F.G.S."
printed, upper centre  "GOLDSCOPE MINE. / Scale: 40 fms to 1 inch."
item:-  JandMN : 162.17
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old text:- Postlethwaite 1877 (3rd edn 1913) 
placename:-  Goldscope Mine
item:-  copper ore
source data:-   Book, Mines and Mining in the English Lake District, by John Postlethwaite, Keswick, published by W H Moss and Sons, Whitehaven, Cumberland now Cumbria, 1877; published 1877-1913.
image PST3p074, button  goto source
page 74:-  "In 1561 a Company was incorporated for the purpose of working Goldscope and Dale Head Mines, where copper ore was found in great abundance. This was very probably the first Mining Company formed in the North of England, and undoubtedly the most aristocratic, as it was patronised by aldermen, noblemen, high officers of state, and even royalty itself. ..."

evidence:-   old text:- Postlethwaite 1877 (3rd edn 1913) 
placename:-  Goldscope Mine
placename:-  Gowd Scalp Mine
item:-  Gowd Scalp veinGold Scalp veinLong Work veinSt Thomas's veinCivil Wargalenacopper pyritessilvergold
source data:-   Book, Mines and Mining in the English Lake District, by John Postlethwaite, Keswick, published by W H Moss and Sons, Whitehaven, Cumberland now Cumbria, 1877; published 1877-1913.
image PST3p076, button  goto source
page 76:-  "GOLDSCOPE MINE."
"This mine is situated at the upper end of the Vale of Newlands, in a mountain bearing the same name. It embraces two lead veins, about sixty fathoms apart, which run nearly parallel to each other in a north-easterly and south-westerly direction; and a copper vein which runs east by north and west by south, and intersects the lead veins diagonally. The latter hades towards the south-east, and the former, south by east. The copper vein has contained rich deposits of ore, measuring in some places nine feet in thickness. The east, or Goldscope lead vein, has also been very rich in ore; it is an unusually large vein, varying from ten to fourteen feet in width, but although large and well mineralised below, it is so contracted and poor at the surface that it had almost entirely escaped the observation of the old miners. The west, or Sealby's vein, has also produced some ore, but it is much smaller than the east vein."
"The ores which these veins produce are galena and copper pyrites; the latter is very rich in silver, and also contains a small portion of gold, from which the mine has derived its name."
"Goldscope has been an important mine since the early part of the thirteenth century, being mentioned in the Close Rolls of Henry III., and in Gibson's Camden's Britannia ..."
image PST3p078, button  goto source
page 78:-  "..."
"The quarrel between Queen Elizabeth and Earl Percy [over royal prerogative over the mine] culminated in armed rebellion by that nobleman, in which he was defeated and afterwards beheaded, and his head was exposed on one of the gates of York."
"In Robinson's Natural History of Westmorland and Cumberland, published in 1709, we are informed that "most of the judicious miners and chymists in England were concerned in the tryal, either as of the jury or evidence. The verdict was given for the Queen, and as the German books give account, a hundred tun of ore was entered upon by the Queen's agents.""
"Respecting the mine, he says, "In our survey of the mountains of Newlands we found eleven veins opened and wrought by the Germans; all distinguished by names given to them, as Gowd-Scalp, now Gold-Scalp, Long-Work, St. Thomas' Work, &c., of all which veins the richest was that they called Gowd-Scalp. We found the vein wrought three yards wide, and twenty fathoms deep above the grand level, which is driven in a hard rock a hundred fathom, and only with pick-axe, hammer, and wedge, the art of blasting with gunpowder being not then discovered. For securing of this rich vein, no cost of the best oak wood was spared; and for the recovering of the soles under the level was placed a water gin, and water was brought to it in troughs of wood upon the tops of high mountains, near half-a-mile from the vein.""
"This rich vein, and several more in the mountains of Newlands, are now laid open and recovered by his Grace the Duke of Somerset; and likewise smelt-houses, furnaces, and all other conveniences are made ready by his Grace for setting forward a great work. But it may be presumed that the discouragement his Grace met with, which at present hath put a stop to so noble a project, was his meeting with an ignorant operator, who, understanding not the nature of the ore, burnt and destroyed fifty tun of the best Gold-Scalp ore without the production of one pound of fine copper.""
"After the mine had been wrought continuously for about eighty-five years, it was closed abruptly by the civil wars in 1650 or 1651, and most of the miners were either killed or drafted into Cromwell's Army. ..."
image PST3p079, button  goto source
page 79:-  "..."
"We must now pass over an interval of 130 years, of which there is no record; but it is most probable that the mine was closed during the greater part of that time. It was reopened by a private Company, consisting of William Clemence, senr., William Clemence, junr., John Bowden and John Floyd, to whom a lease was granted on the 10th March, 1847. The first-named gentleman acted as manager, and being of a very sanguine disposition, he proceeded to erect costly dressing machinery, and roasting furnaces, before ascertaining that there was sufficient ore to warrant the outlay. The result was that they were obliged to offer the mine for sale at the end of eighteen months, during which they had expended L5,000. It was purchased by another private Company, consisting of Andrew Richard Clarke, Charles Nicholas Patrick Chapman, George William Horn, and Thomas Hart; ..."
"This Company, instead of expending their capital upon machinery of doubtful utility, began to explore new ground, by driving forward the adit level (the "grand level" mentioned by Robinson), in search of fresh deposits of copper, and also pushed on the workings in the shaft below the level. They also opened an old lead mine, named Yewthwaite, about a mile and a half east of Goldscope."
"The success of Messrs. Clarke and Co. in raising copper was no greater than that of their predecessors; indeed up to November, 1850, they had only raised 32 tons 12 cwt., value ~137 10s. 7d.; the lead raised at Yewthwaite, prior to that date, was 35 tons 2 cwt., value L380 12s.; and the mines were in debt ~3,726 7s.4d. At this time the partnership was reduced to two; Mr. Hart became unable to contribute his quota of the working expenses, and his"
image PST3p080, button  goto source
page 80:-  "share was forfeited on the 31st May, 1850. Two years later (23rd April, 1852), Mr. Chapman relinquished his shares, and sailed for Australia, hoping to find at the gold diggings the fortune he had failed to realize in the Newlands Mountains; ..."
"Mr. Clarke was now left to continue the struggle alone, and his unwavering perseverance was ultimately rewarded by the discovery of a deposit of ore, which far exceeded his highest expectations. This occurred in September, 1852. The adit level at Goldscope had been driven forward, along the Copper vein, about 60 fathoms from the old shaft; at this point the east Lead vein was cut, and a rich deposit of Lead ore discovered at the junction. The deposit of ore measured fifteen fathoms in length, and contained one rib of solid ore, three feet in thickness, besides three or four smaller ribs, varying from three to eight inches in thickness, and making a total of upwards of four feet of solid ore. After heading it out nearly to the surface, a height of 27 fathoms, a shaft was sunk, and the ore stoped out to the depth of 82 fathoms below the adit level. In the lower part of the mine the ore contracted to less than one-third of its former thickness, but its length increased to 45 fathoms."
"The amount of profit realized in stoping out the ore below the adit level, was about L25,000; and although there are no data available respecting the ground above the level, it is very probable that it would return a profit, almost, if not quite, equal to the amount realized below, as the produce of the vein above the adit level was more than three times greater, and the cost of cutting it much less than that below the level."
"..."
image PST3p081, button  goto source
page 81:-  "The mine continued to return large profits for many years, but ultimately the shaft became so deep that the 40 feet water-wheel which pumped the water from it was no longer able to perform its allotted task; therefore, it became necessary either to expend a large sum of money in new and powerful machinery, or to abandon the mine; and as the executors, or rather trustees, were restrained by prudential considerations from risking their wards' money, the latter course was adopted, and the mine abandoned in 1864."

evidence:-   old map:- Postlethwaite 1877 (3rd edn 1913) 
placename:-  Goldscope Mine
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, Map of the Lake District Mining Field, Westmorland, Cumberland, Lancashire, scale about 5 miles to 1 inch, by John Postlethwaite, published by W H Moss and Sons, 13 Lowther Street, Whitehaven, Cumberland, 1877 edn 1913.
image
PST2NY21.jpg
"Goldscope Mine"
mine symbol 
item:-  JandMN : 162.2
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   mine plan:- Postlethwaite 1877
placename:-  Goldscope Mine
source data:-   Print, drawing, mine sections, Goldscope Mine, Above Derwent, Cumberland, scale about 1 to 2900, by John Postlethwaite and by J D Kendal, published by W H Moss and Sons, 13 Lowther Street, Whitehaven, Cumberland, 1877 edn 1913.
image  click to enlarge
PST315.jpg
On p.77 of Mines and Mining in the English Lake District, by John Postlethwaite. 
printed, lower left  "Reduced from the Original Section by / J. POSTLETHWAITE"
printed, lower right  "Enlarged by J. POSTLETHWAIRE from the / Section in "Mineral Veins of the Lake / District" by J. D. Kendal C.E., F.G.S."
printed, upper centre  "GOLDSCOPE MINE. / Scale: 40 fms to 1 inch."
item:-  JandMN : 162.17
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   visit log:- KDMRS 1979-82
placename:-  Goldscope Mine
item:-  copper pyritesbornitemalachitegalenaarsenic pyrites (?); gypsum
source data:-   Notes, log book of Geological Outings, mine plans, etc, Kendal and District Mine Research Society, Kendal area, Cumbria, etc, visits made 1979-82.
Geological Outing of the Kendal and District Mine Research Society 
Log book page 4:-  "DATE - SUNDAY 8/4/79 / MAP REF - NY21 2270 1840 / LOCATION - NEWLANDS VALLEY / NAME - GOLDSCOPE MINE / TYPE OF SITE - MINE / WORKING OR DISUSED - DISUSED / PEOPLE IN PARTY [ ] / NOS. OF PHOTOS - No.2 / SPECIMENS FOUND - COPPER PYRITES WITH SOME SMALL AMOUNTS OF BORNITE. / COMMENTS - MINE VERY DRY, VERY LITTLE WATER MOVEMENT. SECOND SET OF STOPES COLLAPSED IN PLACES, SINCE LAST VISIT IN 1978. ENTRANCE TO LOWER LEVELS NOW BLOCKED AND APPEARS TO BE RATHER DANGEROUS TO TRY AND DIG RUBBLE AWAY, AS ONE VERY LARGE (APPROX 8'X8') BOULDER IS LYING ON TOP OF IT. NICE BAND OF STAIN MALACHITE FORMED MOSTLY BY WATER, CAN BE SEEN HIGH UP IN SECOND SET OF STOPES."
Log book page 24:-  "DATE - 22/7/79 SUNDAY / MAP REF - 2270/1840 / LOCATION - NEWLANDS VALLEY / NAME - GOLDSCOPE MINE / TYPE OF SITE - MINE / WORKING OR DISUSED - DISUSED / PEOPLE IN PARTY [ ] / NOS. OF PHOTOS - Nos 2 / SPECIMENS FOUND - COPPER PYRITES, GALENA BORNITE POSSIBLY ARSENICAL PYRITES. / COMMENTS - NICE DRY DAY. MINE AS LAST VISITED EXCEPT EVEN DRIER."
Log book page 43:-  "DATE - SUNDAY 16/12/79 / MAP REF - / LOCATION - / NAME - / TYPE OF SITE - / WORKING OR DISUSED - / PEOPLE IN PARTY [ ] / NOS. OF PHOTOS - / SPECIMENS FOUND - FLORETS OF GYPSUM CRYSTALS BUT WERE TO (sic) FRAGILE TO BRING OUT. / COMMENTS - SUNNY DRY DAY, (BUT COLD WIND). FOUND A WAY PAST LARGE BOULDER &RUBBLE AND CRAWLED ABOUT 10-15YDS, TO WHERE TUNNEL IS STANDING HEIGHT AGAIN. FOLLOWING THIS TUNNEL FOR APPROX 60-70 YDS ONE ENCOUNTERS A FORK, THE TUNNEL AHEAD ENDS IN ROOF FALL, BUT LEFT FORK CARRIES ON, UNTIL ANOTHER FORK, (LEFT), IS MET WITH. TAKE THIS LEFT FORK AS TUNNEL AHEAD ENDS IN ROOF FALL. THE ROOF IN THE LEFT FORK IS VERY LOW AND CRAWLING IS NESS. UNTIL TUNNEL BECOMES STANDING HEIGHT AGAIN. 20YDS AFTER STANDING UP, TUNNEL ENDS IN ROCK FACE."
otherwise:-  "AS PAGE 4 &24"
Log book pages 94-95:-  "DATE - 28/6/81 / MAP REF - GENERAL AREA 2230/1840 / LOCATION - DERWENTWATER FELLS, HIGH CRAGS / NAME - GOLDSCOPE TRIALS ? / TYPE OF SITE - MINES/TRIALS. / WORKING OR DISUSED - DISUSED. / PEOPLE IN PARTY [ ] / NOS. OF PHOTOS - 55. / SPECIMENS FOUND - GALENA, COPPER PYRITES &ARSENIC PYRITES / COMMENTS - DRY WARM DAY. WORKINGS ARE SPREAD UP BOTH SIDES OF THE VALLEY, MAINLY LEAD WORKINGS. AT THE HEAD OF THE VALLEY IS THE OLD DAM BUILT FOR WATER STORAGE FOR USE BY GOLDSCOPE MINES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE VALLEY. QUITE A FEW LEVELS EXIST ON THE S. SIDE OF THE VALLEY, BUT ONLY ONE EXTENDS FOR ANY DISTANCE. THIS ONE LEVEL IS QUITE OLD, SUGGESTED BY THE RAILS WHICH ARE WOODEN. THREE OR FOUR POCKETS OF ORE (LEAD_ HAVE BEEN STOPED OUT, AND THE LEAD VEIN CAN BE FOLLOWED THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE LEVEL. AT GOLDSCOPE MINE SEVERAL SHAFTS CAN BE SEEN IN WHAT THE ORDNANCE SURVEY LISTS AS A QUARRY? ONE OF THESE SHAFTS SEEMS TO DECEND (sic) FOR APPROX 350 FT, POSSIBLY INTO THE OLD LEAD WORKINGS. THE SPOIL HEAPS AT THE BACK OF GOLDSCOPE CONTAIN QUITE A LARGE AMOUNT OF COPPER PYRITES AND SOME HANSOME (sic) SPECIMENS WERE FUND. THE MAIN LEVELS INTO GOLDSCOPE, ON THIS SIDE OF HIGH CRAGS, ARE BLOCKED. ACCESS IS OBTAINED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CRAGS BUT NONE LEAD INTO THE SHAFTS MENTIONED ABOVE, OLD LEAD WORKINGS. SEE 8/4/79. SEE 22/7/79 SEE 16/12/79."
Log book page 105:-  "DATE - 7/3/82 / MAP REF - / LOCATION - / NAME - GOLDSCOPE TRIALS ?? / TYPE OF SITE - / WORKING OR DISUSED - / PEOPLE IN PARTY [ ] / NOS. OF PHOTOS - 55 / SPECIMENS FOUND - / COMMENTS - AS 28/6/81 + . WARM DAY, TWO MORE TRAILS WERE FOUND TODAY ONE OF WHICH SEEMS TO BE WORTHWHILE EXPLORING ONCE THE DEEP WATER HAS BEEN DRAINED OFF. THE OTHER IS COMPLETELY FULL OF WATER AND WITH LITTLE CHANCE OF DRAINING IT, SEEMS TO BE VERY UNSUITABLE."
otherwise:-  "AS 28/6/81"
item:-  private collection : 82
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   mine drawing:- KDMRS 1979-82
placename:-  Goldscope Mine
placename:-  Goldscope Trial
source data:-   Geological Outing of the Kendal and District Mine Research Society to Goldscope Mine, Above Derwent
image  click to enlarge
KMR22.jpg
"GOLDSCOPE MINE"
image  click to enlarge
KMR23.jpg
"GOLDSCOPE TRIAL"
item:-  private collection : 82
Image © see bottom of page


photograph
BZG69.jpg  Level,
(taken 6.9.2013)  
photograph
BZG70.jpg  Level,
(taken 6.9.2013)  
photograph
BZG71.jpg  Level,
(taken 6.9.2013)  


photograph
BZG72.jpg  Quarry?
(taken 6.9.2013)  
Or collapsed workings?


photograph
BZG73.jpg  Level,
(taken 6.9.2013)  
photograph
BZG74.jpg  Level,
(taken 6.9.2013)  
photograph
BZG75.jpg  Level,
(taken 6.9.2013)  
Or collapsed workings?


photograph
BZG77.jpg  Grand Level,
(taken 6.9.2013)  
photograph
BZG78.jpg  Grand Level,
(taken 6.9.2013)  
photograph
BZG79.jpg  Grand Level,
(taken 6.9.2013)  
photograph
BZG80.jpg  Grand Level,
(taken 6.9.2013)  


photograph
BZG81.jpg  Spoil heap.
(taken 6.9.2013)  
photograph
BZG82.jpg  Spoil heap.
(taken 6.9.2013)  
photograph
CBJ24.jpg  Spoil heap.
(taken 4.8.2014)  
photograph
Click to enlarge
CBJ25.jpg  Spoil heap.
(taken 4.8.2014)  
photograph
CBJ26.jpg  Spoil heap.
(taken 4.8.2014)  

MN photo:-  
Workings on the NW face of Scope End, 'pan holes' etc.

photograph
CBA87.jpg (taken 9.7.2014)  
photograph
CBA88.jpg (taken 9.7.2014)  
photograph
CBA89.jpg (taken 9.7.2014)  
photograph
CBB15.jpg (taken 9.7.2014)  

:-  
Daniel Hechstetter from Ausberg, Germany, brought other miners from Germany with their superior expertise, to mine copper here, 1556; they operated as the Company of Mines Royal. The copper vein, 9 feet thick, of brassy yellow chalcopyrite, CuFeS2, was the richest known. They called it Gottesgab - God's Gift, now Goldscope. A lead vein of galena, PbS, was intersected in 1852, and as the copper was running out, lead became the main product.
The workings on the flanks of Scope End possibly date back to the 13th century; the last activity was in the 1920s.

: 2015 (?): Mines in Cumbria: Cumbria RIGS
Adams, John: 1988: Mines of the Lake District Fells: Dalesman Books (Lancaster, Lancashire):: ISBN 0 85206 931 6

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