Pirate Mine, Cardrona, Queenstown-Lakes District, Otago Region, New Zealandi
| Regional Level Types | |
|---|---|
| Pirate Mine | Mine |
| Cardrona | - not defined - |
| Queenstown-Lakes District | District |
| Otago Region | Region |
| New Zealand | Country |
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
44° 52' 32'' South , 169° 0' 22'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Type:
Köppen climate type:
Nearest Settlements:
| Place | Population | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Arrowtown | 2,151 (2011) | 16.9km |
| Wanaka | 4,428 (2011) | 22.6km |
| Queenstown | 10,442 (2018) | 32.0km |
| Clyde | 890 (2014) | 42.2km |
| Kingston | 2,460 (2018) | 55.7km |
The Pirate gold mine adjoins the Gin and Raspberry Mine, and Homeward Bound Mine, all rich claims. The mine is mentioned in passing by newspapers of the time, with no great detail.
Gold was found as auriferous leads, 3 to 5 feet thick, in gravels. The claim covered one and a quarter acres, containing deep gravels to 50 feet, and if left un-pumped, water to within 14 feet of the surface.
Mining started here around 1865. In 1869, its noted the syndicate is erecting a new wheel to power the pumps. The names of the members are not known.
The lease produced 82 ounces of gold in one week, reported in 1867. An 1868 report states the claim had paid the syndicate 12 to 20 pounds per man per week, while in 1869 it is stated for the prior eighteen months the claim had paid 10 to 12 pounds per man per week, either way a rich amount for those days.
In 1870, the Gin and Raspberry, and part of the Pirate lease is being worked by a large party of Chinese miners. Bond and Cooper (surnames) applied for the lease and Gin and Raspberry lease, totalling 6 acres in 1874. Bows and party are noted as controlling the lease in 1875. However, also in 1875, the warden orders everything on the lease, and the claim itself to be sold, due to a dispute over the dissolution of a mining partnership- Boase V Adamson. Robert Adamson (assuming the same as the case) purchased the claim at auction for a greatly reduced price. This source states the claim had been worked the prior eight years, containing several runs of gold, partly worked, averaging 8 pounds per man per week, over a fifteen month period. It further states recent yields had been poor.
Mining ended in 1878 during a disastrous flood that hit the region.
A Young Pirate syndicate, or Mace and party, is also mentioned in the 1870's, consisting of four shareholders/working miners. As they are operating at the same time as the Pirate lease, it is assumed they were a different party.
Co-ordinates are approximate.
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Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
Australian Plate
- Haast SchistAccretionary Complex
New Zealand
- South IslandIsland
- Southern AlpsMountain Range
Pacific PlateTectonic Plate
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