Menominee Iron Range Iron River, Iron Mountain, and Vulcan, Michigan Tour Leader, Mark Langenfeld June 9, 2019
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(Above)STOP 3.After briefly crossing into Wisconsin near the old iron mining town of Florence, we arrived at the Cornish Pump and Mine Museum in Iron Mountain, MI.The star attraction is one of the largest steam-driven Cornish pumps ever built; however, the museum also contains an extensive collection of mining equipment from the local mines and another surprise!The pump was designed and built by the E. P. Allis Company of Milwaukee (later Allis-Chalmers Co.) and initially operated at the Chapin D Mine starting in 1893.It was later moved to The Ludington C Mine, where it remains today.It operated until 1914 when electric pumps were installed.CLICK HEREfor a diagram of the pump. (Below)When the Chapin Mine closed in 1934 and pumping stopped, the pit caused by subsidence flooded and formed the lake seen from our bus window as we neared the museum.In 1940, a 150-foot long section of the highway collapsed into the flooded pit.It was quickly rebuilt.
(Above)Once inside the museum, the first impression of the pump is its sheer size (too large for a single photo): 54 feet above the floor; 75 feet long; 100 inch diameter low pressure cylinder; 40 foot diameter flywheel; and weight, 725 tons. It pumped 3,190 gallons per minute.
CLICK HERE for Mark Connar’s 2019 MHA presentation, “Mammoth Machines: The President and the Chapin Mine Pumping Engines.”
(Above) A close-up view of the 40 foot diameter flywheel.
(Below) A “Steam Age Wonder” indeed. The Ludington C Shaft at the Chapin Mine was over 1500 feet deep.Eight sets of pumps at stations down-the-shaft were operated by the pump rod attached to the pumping engine.
(Above) Some of the steam valves are seen in this view of the side of the engine.Can you count the steps to the top?
(Below) The bob extends over the shaft (now capped) and connects to the 1500 foot long pump rod.
Historic view of the Chapin D Shaft with the stone pump engine house next to the headframe (ca1893).This was the first location of the great Cornish engine.
Historic view of the Ludington C Shaft with pump engine house next to the headframe (ca1907).This was the second and final location of the Cornish engine.
Photos Courtesy Mark Connar, Dawn and Johnny Johnsson, Pat and Mike Kaas And The Cornish Pump and Mining Museum.
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