See important guidance on the use of this record.

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

Summary

New shaft marked on 1880s-1890s 25 inch Ordnance Survey map, at eastern end of mining complex at Wheal Crebor.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Structures, earthworks and below-ground mining features associated with Wheal Crebor Mine including a former canal and railway, east of Buctor Farm

Other References/Statuses

• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• MINE SHAFT (XIX - 1801 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

1867, Bedford Estates Map of Wheal Crebor Mine (Cartographic). SDV351517.

'Eastern Shaft' marked.

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

'New Shaft' marked. Located on the east bank of the River Lumborn, at the eastern end of the mining complex at Wheal Crebor.

Newman, P., 2011, Mining in the Tavy Valley, West Devon. An Assessment of Archaeological Potential, 23, Fig 5 (Report - Assessment). SDV347105.

Seven shafts are recorded at Wheal Crebor which exploited a series of east-west lodes extending for over three kilometres between the Devon side of the River Tamar and Whitchurch.

Buck, C., 2015, Buctor Farm, Tavistock (Report - Assessment). SDV359746.

This study was commissioned by the landowner on behalf of Natural England as part of a Higher Level Environmental Stewardship Agreement Scheme and produced by Cornwall Archaeological Unit, Cornwall Council.

This shaft is likely to have been the last one cut at Wheal Crebor, although it may have been started in the 1820s, its main development was within the latter phase of the mine (Section 4.2.5, 1870s). Dines and Phemister (1956, 672) states, ‘New East Shaft, 35 yds. from the river and 400 yds. E. by N. of Cock’s is on the underlie to the 200 fm. Level’. The shaft can be viewed in Figure 9, and in section in Figure 12. Figure 9 (1867 Bedford Estates Map) also labels the site. The shaft would have had angle bob masonry on its north side set within a pit at the shaft edge, this being the deepest shaft on the mine (360m).

Survey
The shaft is choked at surface with stone with no shaft protection or collar wall. The flat rod route or angle bob pit is also not visible. However, the shaft position is marked by a brown/orange ochreous colour oozing from the ground over an area of 1m². It is obvious that during heavy rain, the area is flooded by this liquid.

Significance
Medium
This shaft has an important contextual relationship with the adjacent mine. It therefore has a significance rating of Medium.

Recommendation
The mine and shaft site may well be viewed by members of the public who visit the site (especially those interested in industrial archaeology), and as part of pre-arranged guided tours. Although the shaft has no evidence of movement within the fill, it is recommended that the shaft site be fenced in case of collapse and to restrict animal access.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7058 - Archaeological Management Plan, Buctor Farm, Tavistock (Ref: 2015R055)

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