Historical information

Depicted in the photograph are ten miners standing at a cliff face using a high pressure hose, in Beechworth, Victoria. The miners are located in the Three Mile Creek division, in the Beechworth Mining District established January 4th 1858 under An Act for Amending the Laws Relating to the Goldfields by the Governor-in-Council. The Ovens Gold Rush began at Beechworth in February 1852 and was followed by Yackandandah and the 'Indigo Goldfield'.

The strategies applied to mining in Beechworth were distinct in comparison to other goldfields in Victoria such as Bendigo and Ballarat. The miners in Beechworth utlised 'hydraulic sluicing' to remove washdirt, the long water races and deep tailraces constructed through solid rock with an estimated 900 miles of water races cut through the Beechworth fields by 1880, demonstrating great engineering feats.

Significance

The photograph taken is significant as it is a visual representation of the mining strategy, 'hydraulic sluicing' that was particularly unique to the Beechworth mines, particularly in Victoria and an engineering feat.

Physical description

Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper, unmounted print.