Editing Liskeard and Looe Union Canal (section)

==Mineral extraction on Caradon==
Copper ore had been discovered on Caradon in 1836, and as the volume of extraction grew, it had been taken to St Germans and elsewhere for onward transport. From 1839 granite too began to be seriously quarried at the [[Cheesewring]]. Moving the minerals by pack horse was expensive and inconvenient, and the [[Liskeard and Caradon Railway]] was promoted to bring the ore to Moorswater; the Canal company made room at their terminal for the railway. The railway reached that place in 1846, on 8 March, from when the ore was taken to Looe on the Canal.{{sfn|Messenger|2001}}{{sfn|MacDermot|1931}}<ref name=smith />

This transformed the economy of the Canal and of the area. Mineral ore could now be brought relatively conveniently to market: by railway to Moorswater; by canal boat to Looe; and onwards by coastal shipping. This not only brought about transfer of the transportation from other routes to the benefit of the canal, but it encouraged further exploration and mineral extraction, which then further augmented carrying on the canal. The new mines required coal for operation of their engines, and also iron products, and these traffics also used the canal.

This vastly increased volume of traffic caused the company to extend considerably the wharf facilities at Moorswater. There were also concerns about the adequacy of the water supply with the increased use of the locks, and there was considerable friction between the company and millers higher up the East Looe Valley over use of water.{{sfn|Messenger|2001}}

Some limited statistics have survived: 
in 1849, 21,713 tons were carried, of which 7,546 tons were copper ore, and 6,175 tons were coal;
in 1859, 48,193 tons were carried, of which 17,361 tons were copper ore and 15,712 tons were coal, as well as 8,297 tons of granite. Messenger says that the profit each year was about £2,000.{{sfn|Messenger|2001|p=20}}