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Summary

The Wheal Gawton Leat from New Quay to power the waterwheel at Bayly's Shaft.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1002667: Gawton arsenic mine and flue

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• LEAT (XIX - 1801 AD to 1900 AD)

Full description

Buck, C., 2006, Gawton Mine, Devon: Archaeological Assessment, 33-34 (Report - Assessment). SDV344672.

Leat from New Quay, along the valley side, to power a waterwheel at Bayly's Shaft. Where it has not been disturbed it is approximately 0.7 metres wide across its base and 0.7 metres wide across the top of the down-slope banks. The base is cut into the ground to 0.6 metres below ground level . Trees are growing along and inside the leat, whose condition varies considerably along its length. A relatively large proportion of the leat is being used as a footpath, and consequently has lost its original profile. Other details: Figures 6, 36, site 20.

Waterhouse, R., 2017, The Tavistock Canal. Its History and Archaeology, 225-229, Fig 7.2, 7.8, 7.10 (Monograph). SDV361789.

The Wheal Gawton Leat (1852-1875), SX4541 6963 to SX4543 6898
750 metre long leat extended from New Quay to a new 44 foot diameter water engine near Bayly's Engine Shaft at the western end of Wheal Gawton. It pumped this a several other shafts on the mine's North and Middle Lodes. Installed in 1852, the engine worked until 1875. The course of the leat can be traced on the steep valley side between New Quay and the site of the engine.

Clive Meaton, 2023, Gawton Mine, Devon- Costed and Prioritised Proposals for Capital Works for the Conservation and Management of Gawton Mine Scheduled Monument (Redacted Costs Version), 54, 56-57, Photographs 6 and 7 (Report - Survey). SDV366131.

The Leat, which is now a track, was recorded to the west of Pearce’s Shaft. The Leat linked Tavistock Canal tunnel portal, located approximately 1.4 kilometres to the north-west, with a waterwheel near Baylys Shaft (Site No. 24). From there the Leat flowed in a westerly direction along the river, towards Gawton Quay, before entering the river. In 2006, the Leat was found to measure approximately 0.7 metres wide and up to 0.6 metres deep. Its condition was variable along its length, with trees growing along and inside the Leat. At the time a relatively large stretch of the Leat was being used as a footpath/track.
The condition of the Leat was found to be unchanged from 2006, and still in use as a path, with trees and woodland vegetation growing alongside and within the route. However, where surveyed the earthwork form of the channel has been almost entirely lost, most likely due to slippage and natural erosion of the adjacent slope. Overall, the Leat is considered to be in poor condition.
Given the Leat’s variable condition and the common occurrence of water management features at Gawton Mine and across mining sites in the Tamar Valley generally, it is considered to have low significance, relative to other features and structures across the site. If resources/finances become available, then consideration could be given to clearing vegetation and trees along the route of the Leat so as to improve the visual legibility and understanding of this long linear feature.
Other details: Site No. 20.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV4746 - Archaeological Assessment of Gawton Mine, Devon
• EDV4747 - Field Survey of Gawton Mine
• EDV8147 - Watching brief during vegetation clearance works at New Quay

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