The rush to Herberton’s tin mines was well under way by 1881, the year that the James Leffel Double turbine Water Wheel was installed at the Monarch Mine.
The turbine was fed by a water race 2.5km long, originating from a dam on Wondecla Creek.
The mine’s inexperience with North Queensland weather showed.
Reality hit with the arrival of the first dry season. The lack of water forced the mine manager to borrow a steam engine from Port Douglas.
When the wet season finally arrived the huge amount of water destroyed the dam.
A new steam engine was purchased and the Leffel turbine lay forgotten.
The majority of mines around Herberton were small and the miners didn’t have the funds to purchase such expensive machinery.
Instead, they became ingenious at using whatever they had to hand.
© Herberton Mining Museum History Association 2024