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Summary

Wheelpit at Bayley's Shaft which dates to Gawton's copper mining phase after 1852. Worked until 1875.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1002667: Gawton arsenic mine and flue

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX46NE/527/10
• Old SAM County Ref: 1024

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• WHEEL PIT (Constructed, XIX - 1852 AD to 1875 AD)

Full description

Dixon, T. + Matthews, A. + Pye A. R. + Slater, W. D., 1988, Gawton Mine and Arsenic Works. The Field Survey. 1988, 41 (Report - Survey). SDV222516.

Wheelpit at Bayley's Shaft, dates to Gawton's copper mining phase after 1852. About 1m wide. Aligned approx east-west (parallel to river). Partially collapsed shillet walls, and obscured by vegetation and rubble, though north and west walls survive and are clear. Two iron stanchions in situ on north wall probably held wooden beam to which wheel bearings were attached. Two others in the rubble may have fallen from the ssouth wall. Other details: Fig 6-9. 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 (Report - Survey). SDV222530.

Buck, C., 2006, Gawton Mine, Devon: Archaeological Assessment, 36 (Report - Assessment). SDV344672.

The upper edge of the water wheel pit is visible at its surface edges, with the infill approximately 0.2 to 0.4 metres below surrounding ground level. It measures 1.3 metres in width and approximately 13 metres in length (giving a wheel diameter of approximately 45 feet). The site is overgrown, full of rubble and growing trees. There are no signs of the copper crusher, or the flat rod crank pit, although these are likely to be infilled. There are a number of wrought iron threaded stanchions on both sides of the wheel pit, 0.5 metres high. Approximately 7 metres to the south there is a 6 metres high retaining wall with at least two small launders, still draining subsurface water. Repairs and rebuilds to the wall can be seen. Other details: Figures 6, 8, 35, site 24.

Waterhouse, R., 2017, The Tavistock Canal. Its History and Archaeology, 229, Fig 7.2, 7.8 (Monograph). SDV361789.

A new 44 foot diameter water engine was installed in 1852, the engine worked until 1875. Often short of water, it’s possible the leat (MDV77697) was not watertight. Author includes a plan (Fig 7.8) of the wheel pit and surrounding features.

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), 61-62 (Report - Survey). SDV366131.

The Wheelpit was illustrated on the 1867 Bedford Estates and the 1882 Ordnance Survey map, which resembled the footprint of a waterwheel. In addition, the 1867 Bedford Estate Map illustrates a number of roofed buildings close to the water wheel. In 2006 the upper edges of the Wheelpit were visible, forming a footprint approximately 1.3 metres wide and 13 metres long, with the infill between 0.2 metres and 0.4 metres below the adjacent ground level. Wrought iron threaded stanchions were also visible on both sides of the Wheelpit, measuring approximately 0.5 metres high. Roughly 7 metres to the south of the Wheelpit a retaining wall was recorded measuring circa 6 metres high, with at least two small launders draining ground water. Repairs to the retaining wall were apparent.
It was recommended that the visible tops of the wheel pit walls should be capped and exposed walling repointed, along with general tree clearance, to improve visibility from the nearby adjacent path. Due to the challenging topography and ground covering vegetation the Wheelpit was not visited. However, the landowner confirmed that the condition of the Wheelpit was unchanged since 2006, with the area densely overgrown, and no obvious structural failures or weaknesses. On this basis, the Wheelpit was assessed to be in medium condition. Given the poor preservation of the Wheelpit, it is considered to be of low significance, relative to other features and structures on the Site. Given the poorly surviving remains, isolated location, and low significance it is recommended that the Wheelpit remains are left undisturbed. That said, should sufficient funds/resources become available then vegetation clearance, assessment, interpretation, and conservation should be considered, but only as a complete programme of funded works. Other details: Site No. 24.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV3178 - Unnamed Event
• EDV4746 - Archaeological Assessment of Gawton Mine, Devon
• EDV4747 - Field Survey of Gawton Mine

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