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Summary

Reck house to the south of the Smelting House and Stamping Mill number 5 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/27/3/8
• Old SAM Ref: 34467

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• METAL WORKING SITE (XVIII to XIX - 1750 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

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

Feature not shown on historic mapping.

Gerrard, S., 1990-2002, Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset., MPP 157214 (Report - Survey). SDV277946.

Site visited on 9th May 2002. Reck house 1275 metres south-west of Eylesbarrow, forming part of Eylesbarrow Tin Mine. A small structure cut into earlier streamwork earthworks is denoted by drystone revetment standing up to 1.5 metres high. Bracken and grass on walls, interior is waterlogged and rush filled.

Greeves, T. A. P., 1997, Tin Stamping Mills of Dartmoor after AD 1750 (Article in Serial). SDV346020.

Feature not identifiable on aerial photograph.

Newman , P., 1999, Eylesbarrow (Ailsborough) Tin Mine, 32-33, Figure 17 (Report - Survey). SDV352201.

The 'reck' or 'rack' house was where fine residual tin trapped in the tailings underwent a further refining process. The apparatus consisted of single or paired boards onto which the tailings were placed and over which a gentle flow of water was introduced. The concentrate would build up and then it was removed either by tipping the board or washing it into a separate launder by a more powerful stream. Rectangular structure to the south of the Smelting House and Stamping Mill number 5 at Eylesbarrow Tin Mine. It measures 3 metres by 2.5 metres and being built up in one corner gives an approximate L- shaped plan. The split level floor has the entrance on the higher side while the lower side housed the launder from a leated water supply.

Newman, P., 1999, Eylesbarrow (Ailsborough) Tin Mine, Figure 16 (Article in Serial). SDV231130.

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.

English Heritage, 2013, Pastscape, 1300551 (Website). SDV352645.

The remains of a reck house survive 53 metres south of the smelting house, on the vertical edge of the marsh. It consists of a rectangular structure of 3.9 metres by 3.0 metres, in which one corner is built up, giving an approximate L-shaped plan. There is an entrance at one end of one of the long sides opposite the built up section. The floors are split level, the higher side being that of the entrance. There is the remains of a water supply leated in above the narrow end.

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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