See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

Remains of a tramway at Eylesbarrow Tin Mine which was in use between 1814-52. An archaeological field survey by English Heritage in 1999 found the tramway extending parallel with the Whiteworks track between Philip's Shaft and Whitford or Henry's Engine Shaft, and may have continued to Pryce Deacon's shaft. The tramway survives as a level earthwork surface and the rails have been removed.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1021055: Eylesbarrow Tin Mine and associated remains

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX56NE258
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 1300609
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX66NW/216/31
• Old SAM Ref: 34467

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• TRAMWAY (XIX - 1814 AD to 1852 AD (Between))

Full description

Gerrard, S., 1990-2002, Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset., MPP 157267 (Report - Survey). SDV277946.

Site visited on 9th May 2002. Tramway 350 metres south of Eylesbarrow, forming part of Eylesbarrow Tin Mine. Tramway apparent as a 2.5 metre wide levelled area either cutting or embanked through the tinwork earthworks. In places it is rutted by vehicles.

Robertson, J. G., 1994, The Archaeology of the Upper Plym Valley (Post-Graduate Thesis). SDV139549.

Depicted and described by Robertson.

Fletcher, M. + Newman, P. + Probert, S., 1999, Drizzlecombe, Eylesbarrow, Ditsworthy and Hartor areas in the Plym Valley, West Devon (Report - Survey). SDV346268.

(30/09/1999) Remains of a tramway at Eylesbarrow Tin Mine which was in use between 1814-52.
A section of tramway which runs parallel with the Whiteworks track between Philip's shaft at SX 5994 6820 and Whitford/Henry's engine shaft at SX 6013 6830, and may have continued to Pryce Deacon's shaft. Part of Eylesbarrow Tin Mine which is documented working between 1814 and 1852.
The tramway survives as a level earthwork surface and the rails have been removed.

Newman, P., 1999, Eylesbarrow (Ailsborough) Tin Mine, 37, Figure 2, Appendix 3 (Report - Survey). SDV352201.

Several features at the mine were accessed by tramways for the transportation of mined ore between the shafthead and the dressing floors. Three tramways have been identified at Eylesbarrow Tin Mine. Tramway 3 runs parallel with the Whiteworks track between Philip's Shaft number 16 and Whitford/Henry's Engine Shaft number 21 and may have continued to Pryce Deacon's Shaft number 22 as a short section reappears just beyond the spoilheap of Shaft number 21. Map object partly based on this source. For documentary references and full description see EH 1999.

Newman, P., 1999, Eylesbarrow (Ailsborough) Tin Mine, Figure 2 (Article in Serial). SDV231130.

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

Short eastern section of the tramway shown on survey. Map object partly based on this source.

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

Parts of this feature visible on aerial photograph. Map object partly based on this source.

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, 1300609 (Website). SDV355682.

Remains of a tramway at Eylesbarrow Tin Mine which was in use between 1814-52. An archaeological field survey by English Heritage in 1999 found the tramway extending parallel with the Whiteworks track between Philip's Shaft and Whitford or Henry's Engine Shaft, and may have continued to Pryce Deacon's shaft. The tramway survives as a level earthwork surface and the rails have been removed.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV4966 - Survey of Drizzlecombe, Eylesbarrow, Ditsworthy and Hartor. The Eylesbarrow archaeological landscape
• EDV6239 - Eylesbarrow (Ailsborough) Tin Mine
• EDV8155 - Plym Valley Survey: EH Project (Feb 2001 - Dec 2002)

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