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Summary

The Pumping Engine House was part of a complex of buildings on the east side of Kings Engine Shaft.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1002667: Gawton arsenic mine and flue

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• MINE PUMPING WORKS (XIX - 1863 AD (Between) to 1863 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

A building is depicted.

Ordnance Survey, 1904 - 1906, Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map (Cartographic). SDV325644.

A building is depicted.

Buck, C., 2006, Gawton Mine, Devon: Archaeological Assessment, 56-57 (Report - Assessment). SDV344672.

A Pumping Engine House is located at SX 45039 68802. This engine house stayed unchanged on the mine throughout its tenure, until the mine closed in 1902. The rear cover abandoned mine plan shows the engine house in elevation from the north.
This building has largely collapsed through the rotting of structural timbers. Much of the interior of the building is full of rubble. The highest section of the wall is the east wall next to the chimney which is approximately 7.0 metres high, although a timber has rotted and a recent collapse occurred. The building should be repointed with lime mortar and walls capped to restrict water ingress. Other details: Site No. 59.

Ordnance Survey, 2016, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV359352.

A building is depicted but the southern extent is not shown.

Clive Meaton, 2023, Gawton Mine, Devon- Costed and Prioritised Proposals for Capital Works for the Conservation and Management of Gawton Mine Scheduled Monument (Redacted Costs Version), 151-152, Photograph 87, Figure No. 7 (Report - Survey). SDV366131.

The Pumping Engine House was part of a complex of buildings on the east side of Kings Engine Shaft (Site No. 58), which included the Boiler House (Site No. 60), Miners Dry (Site No. 61) and Mine Building (Site No. 62). The 40 foot engine remained unchanged from the date of its installation in 1863, to the closure of the mine in 1902. In 2006 the building was found to have largely collapsed due to rotting timbers, except for part of the rear wall, which was stabilised by the attached, partly extant, Chimney (Site No. 60.1). The highest section of surviving wall measured approximately 7 metres, although a recent collapse was also noted. Much of the interior was found to be full of rubble and not accessible. It was recommended that the surviving masonry elements should be repointed, and wall heads capped.
The Pumping Engine House was densely overgrown and not closely approached during this survey. However, its condition was similar to that described in 2006 and no major recent failures were apparent. The Pumping Engine House was considered to be in poor condition. The Pumping Engine House was a crucial element of the mine during operations from the mid-19th century onwards and will contain important evidential and historical value dating from this time. The remains are considered to be of medium significance, relative to other features and structures within the Site. Vegetation clearance, structural repairs and monitoring should be undertaken but if urgent conservation works are not deemed appropriate then the site should be securely fenced with warning signs. The location of the Pumping Engine House is based on the Site Plan Figure No. 7. Other details: Site No. 59.

Jon Avent, 2023, Gawton Mines, Gulworthy, Devon- Structural Condition Report, 34 (Report - Survey). SDV366140.

Vegetation present, particularly at high level, restricting access. Remove vegetation and consolidate wall heads. Other details: Site No. 59.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV9133 - Gawton Mines, Gulworthy, Devon- Structural Condition Report
• EDV9132 - Gawton Mine, Devon- Costed and Prioritised Proposals for Capital Works for the Conservation and Management of Gawton Mine Scheduled Monument
• EDV4746 - Archaeological Assessment of Gawton Mine, Devon
• EDV4747 - Field Survey of Gawton Mine

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