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Summary

Wheelpit at Stamping Mill Number 1 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/27/3/1
• Old SAM Ref: 34467

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• WHEEL PIT (XVIII to XIX - 1750 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

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

Small square feature shown on 19th century map.

Gerrard, S., 1990-2002, Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset., MPP 157186 (Report - Survey). SDV277946.

Site visited on 9th May 2002. Wheelpit at the stamping mill 800 metres south-west of Eylesbarrow, forming part of Eylesbarrow Tin Mine. The wheelpit measures 1 metre wide, wall on south side up to 1 metre high. Wheelpit filled with large blocks of rubble. South of wheelpit is a large granite block with four holes cut into it. Holes measure 3.8 centimetres in diameter, depth not discernible because filled with soil.

Newman , P., 1999, Eylesbarrow (Ailsborough) Tin Mine, 25, Figures 2,5-6 (Report - Survey). SDV352201.

At Stamping Mill Number 1 the rectangular open-ended stone wheelpit is sited at right angles to the revetment at one end. Upslope of the wheelpit are raised earth leat embankments which would have supported wooden launders to bring water to the top of the overshot wheel. An open tailrace channels diverted water away from the wheelpit after falling from the wheel to the next stamping mill.

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

English Heritage, 2005, Survey Information (miscellaneous date) (Report - Survey). SDV345855.

Feature shown on survey layer.

English Heritage, 2013, Eylesbarrow Tin Mine and associated remains (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.

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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