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Summary

Remains of Wheal Exmouth, a lead mine which saw extensive activity from the 1850s until the 1880s, comprise large waste dumps and the remains of two engine houses.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX88SW/34
• Old Listed Building Ref (II)
• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SX88SW22

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• MINE (XIX - 1850 AD to 1889 AD (Between))

Full description

Weddell, P. J., 16/01/1990, Engine House (Worksheet). SDV351075.

Spargo, T., 1864, Mines of Cornwall and Devon, 178 (Monograph). SDV242422.

Collins, J. H., 1912, Observations on the West of England Mining Region, 274, 477 (Monograph). SDV323594.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1823, 4032 (Aerial Photograph). SDV121530.

Department of Environment, 1949, St. Thomas R. D., 31 (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV351053.

Ramsden, J. V., 1952, Notes on the Mines of Devonshire, 94, Fig. 1 (Article in Serial). SDV60737.

Mine. E10. Exmouth. Lead barytes. Wheal Exmouth.

Harris, H., 1968, Industrial Archaeology of Dartmoor, 193 (Monograph). SDV149229.

There are considerable remains of Wheal Exmouth at Canonteign in the form of large spoil heaps on both sides of the road. Lead, silver, zinc and blende were produced in the mid 19th century. In 1870, 20 people were employed. Between 1848 and 1874 over 12,000 tons of lead ore were produced.

Russell, P. M. G., 1968-1970, Manganese Mining in Devon, 209 (Article in Serial). SDV294881.

Hawkins, A. S., 1978, Wheal Exmouth (Worksheet). SDV351076.

Site visit 14th February 1978.

Schmitz, C., 1980, The Teign Valley Silver-Lead Mines 1806-1880, 47, 59, 105, Pl. 4 (Article in Serial). SDV351052.

Ornamental engine house and stack erected in 1853 to contain a 70 inch Hocking and Loam engine to pump the adjacent Porter's shaft. The site of the boiler house adjoing the stack. Immediately against the road, a short distance to the north-west are the remains of the ivy-covered stack and engine house of the whim engine (22 inch). To the south lie the remains of the ore linhay.

Greeves, T., 1981, Engine House (Worksheet). SDV351051.

Site visit by T. Greeves and D. Griffiths in 1981. The engine house is a substantial structure, relatively well preserved.

Brown, K., 1982, Prestongrange 70 inch Cornish Engine - A Myth Exploded, 42-51 (Article in Serial). SDV351074.

Greeves, T. A. P., 1982, Report on Archaeological Implications, 1-2 (Planning Application). SDV348633.

Extensive mining activity from the 1850's till 1880, working argentiferous lead. A large mine with 70 underground workers in 1863. At the present time the area is covered with massive dumps of waste. There are the remains of two engine houses (one pumping, one winding) built in the 1850's beside Porter's Shaft, both with stacks in ornamental style. They are ruined but impressive (SX83738301). Adjacent are the remains of an ore linhay and other walled structures at SX83758299. To the north is the mine office at Exmouth Cottages with an adjoining blacksmith's shop. There are stretches of walling at SX83928298 which were possibly a dressing floor. At SX841-831- lie the remains of a rectangular structure on the site of mine dressing floors, possibly a wheelhouse (marked on 1906 Ordnance Survey map). To the west is the presumed site of the Wheal Exmouth adit

The Royal Commission on the Historic Monuments of England Aerial Photograph Unit, 1985, The Royal Commission on the Historic Monuments of England Aerial Photograph Project (Interpretation). SDV340940.

Limits of mine visible and recorded.

Department of Environment, 1988, Christow, 56 (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV308409.

Engine house, octagonal ventilation shaft and rounded ventilation shaft listed as separate items .

Griffith, F. M., 1988, DAP/JY, 8-9A (Aerial Photograph). SDV314510.

Cranstone, D., 1991, HBMC Assessment of the Lead Industry (Report - non-specific). SDV344159.

At the western end is an unusually ornate engine house ruin with a fine octagonal chimney. There is a second chimney beside the slight ruins of a second engine house. There is an extensive area of tips downhill, some containing timber structures and stratified dressing wastes. The mine was active from the 1850s to the 1890s.

Cranstone, D., 1991, The Lead Industry, Site 5 (Report - non-specific). SDV90317.

At the west end of the works there is an unusually ornate engine house ruin with fine octagonal chimney, and 2nd Chimney beside slight ruins of 2nd engine house. Extensive area of tips downhill, some containing timber structures, and stratified dressing wastes.

Engine house and chimneys merit protection. Remainder of site hard to assess relative to Frankmills; one or other should be protected, and on balance wheal Exmouth appears to have the greater potential.

Richardson, P. H. G., 1992, The Mines of Dartmoor and the Tamar Valley after 1913, 138 (Article in Serial). SDV323598.

Nance, R. W. + Nance, R. D., 1996, A Survey of Engine Houses on the Mines of South Devon, 109-122 (Article in Serial). SDV241746.

A dismantled waterwheel on the dressing floors below and to the east of the site of Porter's Shaft bears the inscription H. BEARE NEWTON ABBOT 1871.

Nance, R. W. + Nance, R. D., 1996, Wheal Druid and the Engine Houses of Dartmoor, 4-6 (Article in Serial). SDV340907.

Bodman, M., 2003, Watermills and Other Water-Powered Sites in Devon, 295 (Report - Interim). SDV325576.

Advert in Exeter Flying Post for 16th April 1862 of 'Important Sale of Machinery and Plant at Wheal Exmouth Mine'. The machinery included pumping, whim, stamping and crusher engines, a steam driven capstan and two waterwheels. A detailed list of the plant is also given.

Ordnance Survey, 2013, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV350786.

Brown, K., 29/07/1989, Kew Bridge Engine Trust (Correspondence). SDV351073.

The last complete Cornish engine house surviving in Devon. Probably the largest ever built in Devon. On removal of the engine in 1862 the house was conserved to prevent it looking like a ruin. Condition of building now deteriorating.

Ordish, H. G., April 1959, Wheal Exmouth, Canonteign (Photograph). SDV351077.

Three photos of Wheal Exmouth, two showing the 1853 engine house and one of the whim engine house which was partially demolished in 1956.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, Unknown, SX88SW22 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV351054.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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