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Summary

Wheelpit at Stamping Mill number 6 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/196/4
• Old SAM Ref: 34467(P)

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.

A rectangular building is shown on 19th century map at this location.

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

Building not shown on ealy 20th century map.

Gerrard, S., 1990-2002, Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset., MPP 157204 (Report - Survey). SDV277946.

Site visited on 9th May 2002. Wheelpit at stamping mill 1370 metres south-west of Eylesbarrow, forming part of Eylesbarrow Tin Mine. A machinery block stands next to the wheelpit on the north-east side and survives as a shaped rectangular granite block with four holes cut into it. The wheelpit is 0.9 metres wide, 0.75 metres deep and is filled with rubble. Grass, bracken and heather. Above the upper end of the wheelpit is a scatter of stones which represent the base for aqueduct legs.

Newman , P., 1999, Eylesbarrow (Ailsborough) Tin Mine, 25, Figures 2, 12-13 (Report - Survey). SDV352201.

At Stamping Mill Number 6 the rectangular open-ended stone wheelpit is sited at right angles to and in the centre of the revetment. 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. The tailrace channel is not visible suggesting it was sited below ground and covered.

Newman, P., 1999, Eylesbarrow (Ailsborough) Tin Mine, Figure 12 (Article in Serial). SDV231130.

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

Wheelpit shown on survey.

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

Wheelpit shown on aerial photograph with stone spread to north and south.

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.

National Monument Record, 2014, Pastscape (Website). SDV355682.

Remains of nineteenth century mine at Eylesbarrow Tin Mine which was mined from 1814 until 1856.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV4966 - Survey of Drizzlecombe, Eylesbarrow, Ditsworthy and Hartor
• EDV6239 - Eylesbarrow (Ailsborough) Tin Mine
• EDV7443 - Condition survey of archaeological sites in Ringmoor Training Area
• EDV7569 - Condition survey of Ringmoor Down training area

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.