Steiglitz

History

Situated between Geelong and Ballarat, Steiglitz is almost a ghost town today but in the 1860s and 1890s it was a busy goldmining township with hotels, shops, churches and a population of over 1000. At the height of the 1860s gold rush, Steiglitz township had more than 1500 residents, four hotels, a newspaper, a variety of shops and even an undertaker.

Tourism

The Steiglitz Court House has a display of photographs, maps and relics of the gold years. The Court House is open on Sunday afternoons, and at other times by arrangement.

See also

Gold Ore Mining

Patrick Howard

Ballarat Co.

Stieglitz

Steiglitz Quartz Crushing Company

Notes

STEIGLITZ.

A little better than twelve months ago the attention of the mining world was directed to this field, which had been abandoned, except in one or two spots, for over 30 year. But during all these long years there were fortunately a few investors who had spent some of their pioneering days among our quartz lodes, and who were thoroughly couversant with the slide and other displacements in the strata which led to the abandonment of the place. These men, who had subsequently profited by experience gained else-where, were confident that the rich lode worked here more than a quarter of a century ago had not run out, but had been thrown out of their true courses by slide and other displacements, and that the lodes would be found beyond the disturbed country. The most remarkable instance here of finding a lode beyond the slide is the United Albions Com pany. The old Albion had worked several rich shoots of gold from their shaft northwards till a cross course was met with which out oif all tho lodes in their richest part. The total output of gold in the old Albion Company is estimated at 7 tons of gold, the fortnightly yield at times averaging between 1000 and 1500 oz. Much prospeoting was done by the old company to pick up tho lodes, but after years of fruitless labor they had to give in. After lying idle for some time, the experience gained during the interval was put into practice by an indomitable few, and the present company was formed. A shaft was put down north of the old shaft and beyond the cross course, and this has principally led to the resuscitation of the field. After much call paying, the lode was intersected, and it has since been proved beyond doubt that had the old company driven but 6 feet further it would have been paying dividends to this day. If the 950 feet level opens up as is anticipated, this company has years of profitable work ahead. While giving credit to the perseverance of those who have placed the United Albions mine on the dividend list, it must not be for gotten that there were a few individuals who were denying themselves of many comforts to develop a property of the south end that had a reputation - second to none on the field in the early history of Steiglitz. It was the old Sailors' Reef Company, or what is now known a the New Mariner Company. Here, after many reverses, during which the company wa reformed, a crushing was got out of 6 tons from the 200 feet level, which yielded 11 oz. This was so satisfactory that a 12-head battery was at once procured, which has since been supplemented by another 4-head. In order to relieve shareholders crushing was commenced as soon as 8 heads were available. While quartz was being taken from two levels the shaft was deepened for another level, from which a cross cut is in progress to intersect the lode. In the No. 2 level a winze was put down 55 feet on the stone, which has averaged from 4 to 7 feet in width, showing splendid gold all the way down. This will be connected with the No. 3 level shortly after the New Year. The pyrites from this mine is very rich, giving over 30 oz. to the ton, and due care will be taken when the new battery ie being erected to pro vide for the better eaving of the pyrites. While every attention is bestowed on this part of the mine, another shaft is being put down 200 feet on a reef known as Garliok's, from which 2 1/2 oz. to the ton was crushed years ago. This shaft, which is down 70 feet, is about 100 feet from the No. 1 Mariner's boundary, and the old winding plant from the No. 1 shaft will be taken down and re-erected over this shaft at once. This com pany, which has paid 24s. in dividends since May last, has a great 'future in store. The Waterloo Company is the most forward of the progressive mine. The battery is in a very forward state, and will be ready for crushing when the shaft is opened up at the bottom level, there being 70 feet more to finish the contract. There are in sight 70 feet of backs to operate on, and no doubt crushing from this part of the mine will be commenced as soon as the battery is ready. At the Tam o' Shanter and New Year the machinery will be started about the 5th January, and the usual christening will take place a few days afterwards. At the Tam o' Shanter, retimbering of the shaft up from the water level is in progress, and shaft sinking will be vigorously proceeded with in this and the New Year, also when the water is out. At the North Birmingham the crosscut is in 30 feet, and it is estimated that at 90 feet the rich shoot of stone worked above will be intersected. The prospecting operations at the No. 1 shaft of the Ironbark Company have been disappointing so far, and although soveral makes of stone of promising appearance have been gone through in the east drive no gold has been seen. The No. 2, or main shaft, has been discontinued, at a depth of 200 feet. It would have been more satisfactory to have carried this shaft down 400 feet and then open out, but what can be gained from prospecting in the No. 1 shaft needs some reflection. The new machinery at the Alliance Company has been handed over by the contractors, but will not be used until the shaft is cut down to the water level, which will take some weeks to finish. The rich stone met with in the shaft of the South Waterloo Company has gladdened the hearts of mining investors, and is only another instance of what has been left for the present generation to develop. At the No. 1 Mariner a fresh contract has been let to sink the shaft 150 feet, which will make the total depth 350 feet, and when this is com pleted the opening set will be put in. ...

External links

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--Beth Kicinski 09:43, 29 August 2013 (EST); --Clare K.Gervasoni 11:48, 5 June 2017 (AEST)