Lamplough, Victoria

Lamplough is a locality near Avoca, Victoria in Australia. It was the site of a gold rush from November 1859 and up to 16,000 people were on the site. The lead was worked for a distance of nearly 3 miles (5 km) to the point where it ran into the water and was abandoned.Gold historyIn August 1859, the Mining Surveyor at Maryborough reported Lamplough as a "grand attraction; hundreds of miners are arriving daily from the more remote gold-fields. The yield of gold,together with the large extent of the already proven auriferous ground, indicates that the Lamplough presents every appearance of being the largest rush we have yet had in Victoria."In January 1860, the surveyor reported that "Lamplough may safely be classed amongst the permanent and payable gold fields of Victoria". He did note that the field was overpopulated, particularly by those in business pursuits: "there appears to be nearly one place of business to each miner’s tent". In March 1860, the surveyor reported: "Lamplough, during the last few weeks, presents the appearance of one of the settled gold fields. The late departures to the Inglewood rush have materially improved its condition by withdrawing a portion of its surplus population, such as unsuccessful miners, storekeepers, &c. It may safely be presumed that those now remaining are all making at least a good livelihood".In June 1860 he reported: "At Lamplough, the Deep Lead (with the exception of minor rushes in the immediate neighbourhood) offers sufficient inducements to remain. The lead appears still to adhere (as originally) to the southern reef, neither do the workings get into deeper or wet ground. It has been found payable more than two miles in length from the original prospectors’ claim, and three claims in width, the average yield being an ounce to the load, with one foot thickness of wash-dirt".