Michael Loam, engineer who introduced the first man engine into UK^[1]

1797 - 1871  (73 years)

•    

  Name	Michael Loam  [1]
  Suffix	engineer who introduced the first man engine into UK
  Birth	1 November 1797	Ludgvan, Cornwall   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Death	14 Jul 1871	Botusfleming Botus Fleming, Botus Fleming   [1]
  Occupation	Wheal Abraham, Crenver & Wheal Abraham (Abraham Consols; incl. Great Drym Consols), Crowan, Cornwall  - Michael Loam, who introduced the man engine to the UK, was trained as an engineer at Wheal Abraham by Arthur Woolf
  	1841 (43 years) - [Devices] Man Engine  - Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society announced a prize for the design of a better system of transporting miners in and out of the deep mines in the county. Michael Loam won this prize in 1841 for his man engine, despite evidence that it was already in use in the Hartz Mountains in Germany
  	Jan 1842 (44 years) - Tresavean Mine, near Lanner, Tresavean, Lanner  - Inspired by the German designs and constructed of a series of moving platforms, the first man engine was installed in 1842 at Tresavean Mine—one of the deepest in Cornwall at the time.[2] Its adoption was encouraged by the mine's owner, John Rogers.
  Association	Arthur Woolf (Relationship: Michael Loam was trained as an engineer at Wheal Abraham by Arthur Woolf)
  Person ID	I15113	AHP
  Last Modified	28 Dec 2025

  
  

• Event Map		Birth - 1 November 1797 - Ludgvan, Cornwall  Occupation - Michael Loam, who introduced the man engine to the UK, was trained as an engineer at Wheal Abraham by Arthur Woolf - - Wheal Abraham, Crenver & Wheal Abraham (Abraham Consols; incl. Great Drym Consols), Crowan, Cornwall  Occupation - Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society announced a prize for the design of a better system of transporting miners in and out of the deep mines in the county. Michael Loam won this prize in 1841 for his man engine, despite evidence that it was already in use in the Hartz Mountains in Germany - 1841 (43 years) - [Devices] Man Engine  Occupation - Inspired by the German designs and constructed of a series of moving platforms, the first man engine was installed in 1842 at Tresavean Mine—one of the deepest in Cornwall at the time.[2] Its adoption was encouraged by the mine's owner, John Rogers. - Jan 1842 (44 years) - Tresavean Mine, near Lanner, Tresavean, Lanner  Death - 14 Jul 1871 - Botusfleming Botus Fleming, Botus Fleming   = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Sources

  [S37] Wikipedia. Michael Loam (1 November 1797 – 14 July 1871) was an English engineer who introduced the first man engine (a device to carry men up and down the shaft of a mine) into the UK.[1] In 1834, concerned for the health of miners and for the loss in profits incurred by their long, slow climbs by ladders, the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society announced a prize for the design of a better system of transporting miners in and out of the deep mines in the county. Michael Loam won this prize in 1841 for his man engine, despite evidence that it was already in use in the Hartz Mountains in Germany.[2] Inspired by the German designs and constructed of a series of moving platforms, the first man engine was installed in 1842 at Tresavean Mine—one of the deepest in Cornwall at the time.[2] Its adoption was encouraged by the mine's owner, John Rogers. Loam was trained as an engineer at Wheal Abraham by Arthur Woolf.[3] He remained active in the metal mining and smelting industries in Cornwall and is noted as an investor in the Tamar Tin Smelting Company in 1863.[4] Michael Loam Born 1 November 1797 Ludgvan, Cornwall, England Died 14 July 1871 (aged 73) Botusfleming, Cornwall, England Engineering career Discipline Civil Projects First man engine in the UK https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Loam