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Summary

Shallow Adit is one of three adits forming part of the 19th century Eylesbarrow Tin Mine

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1021055: Eylesbarrow Tin Mine and associated remains

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX56NE/649
• Old SAM Ref: 34467

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ADIT (XVIII to XIX - 1751 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

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

Feature not shown on 19th century map.

Gerrard, S., 1990-2002, Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset., MPP 157225 (Report - Survey). SDV277946.

Site visited on 9th May 2002. Aadit 640 metres south-south-west of Eylesbarrow, forming part of Eylesbarrow Tin Mine. A linear hollow measuring up to 1.2 metres deep and 5 metres wide. Water flowing from the upper end. Rushes and grass. Material from its construction is piled up either side to form two dumps. One on the north is 1.3 metres high and the one on the south partly overlies an earlier field boundary.

Newman , P., 1999, Eylesbarrow (Ailsborough) Tin Mine, 10-12, Figures 2-3 (Report - Survey). SDV352201.

Four adits are referred to at Eylesbarrow Tin Mine. These are ‘Deacon’s’, ‘Deep’, ‘Two Brothers’ and ‘Shallow’. In a cash book of 1814-1815 ‘Old Men’s Adit’ and ‘North’ and ‘South’ adits are also mentioned although only the mouth of ‘Shallow’ and ‘Deep’ Adits are depicted on the contemporary maps.
Shallow Adit is recorded as being driven in 1814 and the frequency of references indicate it as one of the foremost adits at the mine. The opening is now completely blocked and a stream issues from within the opening out into a boggy gully.

Newman, P., 1999, Eylesbarrow (Ailsborough) Tin Mine, 114-5 (Article in Serial). SDV231130.

English Heritage, 2005, Industrial Survey Information (Report - Survey). SDV346396.

GeoInformation Group Ltd, 2010, 1:625 2010 Colour (12.5cm resolution) (Aerial Photograph). SDV346026.

Possible entrance to adit shown on aerial photograph.

English Heritage, 2013, Eylesbarrow Tin Mine and associated remains, 1021055 (Schedule Document). SDV231131.

The 19th century Eylesbarrow Tin Mine opened in 1814 and continued until 1852. During this time several companies were formed to run the mine and most failed to make a profit. Eylesbarrow's importance stems from its unrivalled array of 19th century mining remains making it the largest and most informative example of a large scale water powered tin mine in Britain. At least 27 shafts and five adits were cut to reach the tin lodes, seven whim platforms and two water powered engine wheels were built to power the lifting and pumping machinery, a series of tramways were made to carry the ore to six separate stamping mills and, to complete the picture, a smelting house was constructed to smelt the processed tin from the stamping mills. The size of the operation is further emphasised by the large number of ancillary buildings constructed to serve the mine. Amongst these are a count house, dormitory accommodation, blacksmith's shop, powder houses, sample house and various storage buildings.

English Heritage, 2013, Pastscape, 1300505 (Website). SDV352645.

Remains of nineteenth century mine shafts and adits at Eylesbarrow Tin Mine, which was mined from 1814 until 1856. An English Heritage archaeological field survey identified 25 shaftheads of which 16 have names recorded in documentary sources.
There are three adits associated with these shafts. These are, Deep or Deacon's, Two Brothers and Shallow. Shallow Adit is recorded as being driven in 1814, connecting with Hawk's shaft in the same year. Today the opening is completely blocked and a stream of water issues from within the opening out into a boggy gully.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV4966 - Survey of Drizzlecombe, Eylesbarrow, Ditsworthy and Hartor
• EDV6239 - Eylesbarrow (Ailsborough) Tin Mine

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