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HER Number:MDV43329
Name:Arsenic Chimney, Gawton Mine

Summary

Stack at Gawton mine providing updraught for precipitation flues.

Location

Grid Reference:SX 455 689
Map Sheet:SX46NE
Admin AreaDevon
Civil ParishGulworthy
DistrictWest Devon
Ecclesiastical ParishTAVISTOCK

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

  • Old DCC SMR Ref: SX46NE/527/7
  • Old SAM County Ref: 1024

Monument Type(s) and Dates

  • CHIMNEY (XVIII to XXI - 1751 AD to 2009 AD)

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880s, Ordnance Survey (Cartographic). SDV848.

'Chimney' shown on 1880s 25" OS map with a flue running north west to SX45476900.

Timms, S., 1985, An Archaeological Assessment of the Remains of the Quay, Mine and Arsenic Works at Gawton, Tavistock Hamlets (Report - Assessment). SDV352213.

11.3 - Chimney at the end of flue noted on sources dated 1895, 1906, 1953, 1984. Good condition. Leaning stack.

Dixon, T. + Matthews, A. + Pye A. R. + Slater, W. D., 1988, Gawton Mine and Arsenic Works. The Field Survey. 1988, 33-35 (Report - Survey). SDV222516.

Stack providing updraught for precipitation flues (PRN 43327 and 43328) constructed by 1880, of shillet. Marked lean towards west near the top. Partial collapse near top on west side, and several shillets visibly loose. Shillet archway leading from foot of stack to flue is partly demolished at front. Brick arched opening opposite shillet one, in south face. Other details: Fig 19. Survey - Spring/Summer 1988.

Weddell, P. J. + Pye, A. R., 1989, Gawton Mine and Arsenic Works: The Documentary Research 1988 (Report - non-specific). SDV263249.

Buck, C., 2003, Gawton Mine, Devon, Fig 5 (Report - Survey). SDV222530.

Buck, C., 2006, Gawton Mine, Devon: Archaeological Assessment, 37 (Report - Assessment). SDV344672.

The arsenic flue enters the base of the chimney at its west side, with another brick arched entrance on the opposite side of the chimney, to remove the build up of small particles. Its lean to the south-west was probably caused by differential curing of the lime mortar due to a speedy construction. The extent of the lean is however giving cause for concern, and a structural assessment and survey has been carried out which showed that the top of the chimney is 2.1 metres out of true to its base. However the extent of the damage to the top of the chimney on the south-west side does not appear to have increased in the last 20 years. Other details: Figures 23, 25, 36, site 25.

Buck, C., 2006, Gawton Mine, Devon: Impact Assessment Report, 11-13 (Report - Assessment). SDV348353.

The Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project has proposed that a programme of building conservation and public safety works be undertaken to a number of sites within Gawton Quay and Mine. The chimney was built at the top of a hill in 1880, and with a height of 27 metres is one of the most visible industrial archaeological features of the Tamar Valley. It is recommended that the chimney be consolidated and repointed, with the damaged area at its top being rebuilt with similar stone and a lightning conductor fitted. To restrict access to the base, two small galvanised steel flue opening padlocked grilles will be inserted inside both of the flue openings, following repairs to the partially collapsed arches. Other details: Figure 4, site 25; photograph, figure 5.

Ordnance Survey, 2010, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV344030.

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), 63-64, Photographs 8 and 9 (Report - Survey). SDV366131.

The chimney was built at the top of the hill in 1890, to a height of 27 metres. It removed poisonous vapours from the flues and labyrinths. The chimney leans to the south west, most likely due to differential drying of the lime mortar during rapid construction. The extent of the lean has been investigated, and the top of the chimney was found to be 2.1 metres out from its true base. In 2006 the partial collapse on the western side, at the top of the chimney, described in 1989 did not appear to have worsened. At its base, the arsenic flue was found to enter the chimney from the west, with another brick arched opening on the opposite side, located to prevent the accumulation of small particles. It was recommended that a lightning conductor should be installed and the collapsed masonry at the top rebuilt, along with the top 1.5 metres of the chimney.
The partial collapse at the top of the chimney was identified along with loose masonry around the wall head, but it was unclear if this had worsened since the 2006 survey, although no debris was noted around the base of the structure. Some ivy had established on the west side of the stack at lower levels, and the flue entrance on this side was generally overgrown with vegetation. Some header bricks were missing to the brick arch on the opposite side with cracking above, and this entrance was in need of repointing and stabilising. Overall, the chimney was assessed to be in poor condition and the top of the chimney will likely deteriorate in the short to medium term without remedial conservation.
Chimney stacks form iconic elements in the Cornish and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Landscape and Gawton Arsenic Chimney is no exception, being one of only two well surviving examples. Furthermore, its unusual lean makes this chimney a very rare example across the WHS. Gawton Arsenic Chimney is considered to be of very high significance relative to other features and structures on the Site. Recommendations from 2006 are repeated and vegetation management should be implemented. The condition of the chimney should be regularly monitored. Other details: Site No. 25.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV222516Report - Survey: Dixon, T. + Matthews, A. + Pye A. R. + Slater, W. D.. 1988. Gawton Mine and Arsenic Works. The Field Survey. 1988. Exeter Museums Archaeological Field Unit Report. 89.02. A4 Stapled + Digital. 33-35.
SDV222530Report - Survey: Buck, C.. 2003. Gawton Mine, Devon. Cornwall Archaeological Unit Report. 2003R086. A4 Stapled + Digital. Fig 5.
SDV263249Report - non-specific: Weddell, P. J. + Pye, A. R.. 1989. Gawton Mine and Arsenic Works: The Documentary Research 1988. Exeter Museums Archaeological Field Unit Report. 89.01. A4 Stapled + Digital.
SDV344030Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 2010. MasterMap. Ordnance Survey. Map (Digital). [Mapped feature: #91688 ]
SDV344672Report - Assessment: Buck, C.. 2006. Gawton Mine, Devon: Archaeological Assessment. Cornwall County Council Report. 2006R023. A4 Stapled + Digital. 37.
SDV348353Report - Assessment: Buck, C.. 2006. Gawton Mine, Devon: Impact Assessment Report. Cornwall County Council Report. A4 Stapled + Digital. 11-13.
SDV352213Report - Assessment: Timms, S.. 1985. An Archaeological Assessment of the Remains of the Quay, Mine and Arsenic Works at Gawton, Tavistock Hamlets. Devon County Council. A4 Stapled + Digital.
SDV366131Report - Survey: 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). Cotswold Archaeology. CR1194_1. Digital. 63-64, Photographs 8 and 9.
SDV848Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1880s. Ordnance Survey. 25".

Associated Monuments

MDV5490Part of: Gawton Mine, West Devon (Monument)
MDV43328Related to: Arsenic Flue, Gawton Mine (Monument)
MDV43327Related to: Arsenic Flue, Gawton Mine (Monument)

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

  • EDV3175 - Unnamed Event
  • EDV4746 - Archaeological Assessment of Gawton Mine, Devon
  • EDV4747 - Field Survey of Gawton Mine

Date Last Edited:Sep 23 2024 6:22PM