COPPER FOUND AT BLINMAN

[Maureen K Clifford]

COPPER FOUND AT BLINMAN


Bob, Joe, Alf, and Henry all slung in twenty quid,
to buy a mineral lease on 'Angorichina'
Old Bob was just a shepherd, but he sported a keen eye
and one doubts that he had plans to be a miner.
Bob had noted this big rock one day while watching sheep
a mineral outcrop on a hill just up above the creek.
Old Bob thought he might gamble his wages for the week
and that's how copper was found out there at Blinman.

They called their mine 'Wheal Blinman', for reasons of their own.
It was the richest mine out in the Flinders.
But no smelters were in the town and that caused some concern.
though they had the means to make the fire and cinders.
So the ore must be transported to the smelters far away
down to Port Augusta , nestled on a lovely bay
and though that was a long hard trip there was no other way.
That's the price you paid to mine copper at Blinman.

By 1865 permanent huts were being built,
made of local stone, tin and cypress pine.
When finished, the Mine Captains house was part set in the hill side,
located close and handy to the mine.
But water was a problem, there was little there to drink
the well was empty although 40 metres they did sink,
so the Bullock drivers often gave the trip another think.
For without rain, no feed for bullocks at Blinman.

In time they built furnaces then they turned their thoughts to trains
to solve their ever growing transport needs.
A railway didn't need grass or rely on fickle rains
but for twenty years their thoughts were only seeds.
If a railway had been built this would be a different tale
but they still relied on bullocks for there just wasn't a rail,
‘twas 1863 before they even got the mail.
It wasn’t easy mining copper out at Blinman.

Cobb and Co came visiting to Blinman once a week.
Their passengers no doubt had expectations.
Sometimes they couldn’t get the coach across the flooded creeks,
often delayed from final destinations.
One time a coach was swept away and all inside were drowned.
The horses too, for they with harness to the coach were bound,
and one time, only three coach wheels were all they ever found,
of those travelers just trying to reach Blinman.

They built the North Star Hotel, now the men could have a beer
so no doubt the men all thought that things were grouse.
But the womenfolk were sadly used, in childbirth lives were lost
and no Doctor near to help. Just friends or spouse.
But this is just a story, 'bout a little country town.
One of many in this country that survived the ups and downs.
It has history, and tales to tell and people of renown.
Seems the whole thing came about because of Blinman.

Now Bob Blinman the shepherd after who the town was named
had moved family to 'Beltana station'.
He lost a daughter and a son, cause of death not described.
Two more child sacrifices to this nation.
Young Martin and Selena died and others so they tell.
Sampson Serle at twenty six, in his lungs there did dwell
inflammation. Annie Martin the town prostitute as well,
yet they remain. They're dead and buried out at Blinman.

Eventually the ore ran out, the mine was in deep trouble.
The cash flow stopped, and all there were dismayed.
Five hundred thousand pounds worth of copper they’d taken out
but no pound for workers, not a man was paid.
So if you’re ever travelling out Port Augusta way,
give a thought to Blinman - take a side trip for the day
for the country hospitality will hold you in its' sway,
and the Pub can quench the thirst you have for Blinman.



Maureen Clifford ©

[r.magnay]

...quenched my thirst in that very pub just last year, interesting place hey Maureen?

[Maureen K Clifford]

How coincidental - and I reckon it would be interesting Ross but I have never been there. Actually wrote this as lyrics but as I don't play music the song stays in my head.

Cheers

Maureen