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Summary

A Reservoir Pond was sited to the south of the main Stores at Gawton Mine and formed part of the original changes to the 18th century dockside landscape.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1002667: Gawton arsenic mine and flue

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• RESERVOIR (XIX - 1860 AD (Between) to 1899 AD (Between))

Full description

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

The Reservoir Pond is depicted.

Ordnance Survey, 1904 - 1906, Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map (Cartographic). SDV325644.

The Reservoir Pond is not depicted.

Buck, C., 2006, Gawton Mine, Devon: Archaeological Assessment, 53, Figure 8 (Report - Assessment). SDV344672.

The reservoir pond is not shown on the estates map of 1867 but the later Ordnance Survey map of 1884 and not the following Ordnance Survey map of 1904. The reservoir pond may have been used as an additional water supply for the boiler houses of the pumping and rotary engines (Sites Nos. 60 and 63.1 respectively), possibly settling mine water from the rising main pipe in King’s Shaft, and/or a header supply for the water wheel (Site No. 51.1) which powered the calciners (Site No. 43). In addition there was an extension to the Gawton Leat which also infilled the reservoir via a partly underground water course (later to be culverted by the 1880s arsenic flue). Vegetation clearance is necessary to carry out a more detailed survey. Other details: Site No. 54.

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), 137-138, Photograph 74, Figure No.7 (Report - Survey). SDV366131.

The Reservoir Pond was sited at SX 45094 68819 to the south of the main Stores (Site No. 53). It formed part of the original changes to the 18th century dockside landscape, when new underground access was created to the Main Lode, via Kings Shaft (Site No. 58), sunk in the 1860s. In 2006, it was noted that much of the ground surface around the former Reservoir Pond and adjacent quay yard had been obscured by later mine waste dumping and dumps from the First World War. The area was overgrown and no Reservoir Pond features were securely identified. It was noted that vegetation clearance was necessary in order to carry out a more detailed survey.
The area of the Reservoir Pond was overgrownwith vegetation at the time of this survey. Although earthwork features were present, interpretation was not possible, and they may represent waste dumping. The area of the Reservoir Pond was generally undisturbed so it was assessed to be in good condition. The Reservoir Pond is considered to be of low significance relative to other features and structures within the Site. The site should be left undisturbed, and no intrusive works permitted but if funds become available, vegetation clearance, assessment, interpretation, and conservation should be considered. The location of the Reservoir Pond is based on the Site Plan Figure No. 7. Other details: Site No. 54.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV9132 - Gawton Mine, Devon- Costed and Prioritised Proposals for Capital Works for the Conservation and Management of Gawton Mine Scheduled Monument
• EDV4746 - Archaeological Assessment of Gawton Mine, Devon
• EDV4747 - Field Survey of Gawton Mine

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