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Summary

Bayly's shaft dates to Gawton's copper mining phase after 1852. Rectangular and almost vertical, the upper portion is revetted with shillet masonry.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1002667: Gawton arsenic mine and flue

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX46NE/527/9
• Old SAM County Ref: 1024

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• SHAFT (XVIII to XXI - 1751 AD to 2009 AD)

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880s, Ordnance Survey (Cartographic). SDV848.

'Bayly's Shaft' shown on 1880s 25" OS map as a rectilinear structure with a rectangular structure inside.

Timms, S., 1985, An Archaeological Assessment of the Remains of the Quay, Mine and Arsenic Works at Gawton, Tavistock Hamlets (Report - Assessment). SDV352213.

12.1 - Bayly's Shaft noted on sources dated 1895, 1906 and 1984. The only shaft shown on the 1885 historic map. Visible.

Dixon, T. + Matthews, A. + Pye A. R. + Slater, W. D., 1988, Gawton Mine and Arsenic Works. The Field Survey. 1988, 41 (Report - Survey). SDV222516.

Bayly's shaft dates to Gawton's copper mining phase after 1852. May be on the site of older workings. Upper portion revetted with shillet masonry. Rectangular. Almost vertical. At least 25-30m deep. Linear feature leading west is probably for carrying pumping rods from waterwheel to power lifting machinery. Other details: Figs 6-9. survey - Spring/Summer 1988.

Weddell, P. J. + Pye, A. R., 1989, Gawton Mine and Arsenic Works: The Documentary Research 1988 (Report - non-specific). SDV263249.

Buck, C., 2003, Gawton Mine, Devon, 11 (Report - Survey). SDV222530.

Other details: Fig 5.

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

Baylys Shaft is unfenced and open. It is located downhill approximately 5 metres north of the lower arsenic flue. It is approximately 2.1 metres by 1.8 metres in plan at a depth of approximately 2.5 metres and is vertical to a depth of approximately 10 metres to water level. The shaft opening is somewhat larger as part of the vertical retaining wall on the south-east side of the shaft has collapsed into the shaft. Parts of the shaft walls still have the original masonry lining, and some sollar timbers. There are also short remnants of the head frame timbers. Other details: Figures 5-6, 22, 35, site 21.

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), 58 (Report - Survey). SDV366131.

Baylys Shaft was labelled on the 1867 Bedford Estate Map which also illustrated an Unnamed Shaft (Site No. 21.1) at SX 45459 69041 a short distance to the north-east. Baylys Shaft is thought to pre-date the 1850s and accessed the main stopes in the eastern part of the Main (Copper) Lode. In 2006, Baylys Shaft was open and unfenced. It was located steeply downhill, approximately 5 metres north of the lower Arsenic Flue (Site No. 27), measuring circa 2.1 metres by 1.8m metres with a vertical depth of 10 metres to the water level. Part of the vertical retaining wall on the south-east side had partially collapsed into the shaft. Some original masonry lining and timbers were found to survive on parts of the shaft wall. It was recommended that the shaft was fenced with warning signs erected.Baylys Shaft was not visited due to the challenging terrain and dense woodland floor vegetation. However, the landowner confirmed that the condition of the shaft was unchanged from 2006, and there have been no recent failures or collapses to the sides or slumping on the ground surface around their openings. On this basis, the shaft is thought to be in medium condition.
Although mine shafts are a relatively common feature, Baylys Shaft appears to represent quite early activity on the Site, survives well, and is readily legible in the
modern landscape. Therefore, on balance, it is considered to have medium significance relative to other features and structure within the Site. At present the location of Baylys Shaft is relatively inaccessible. However, given the close proximity to the remains and route of the Arsenic Flue (Site No. 27), the recommendations provided in 2006 are repeated. It is considered advisable that the shaft opening is fenced, and a shaft warning sign erected. Other details: Site No. 21.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV3177 - Unnamed Event
• EDV4746 - Archaeological Assessment of Gawton Mine, Devon
• EDV4747 - Field Survey of Gawton Mine

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