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Summary

Remains of boiler house, part of engine house complex at Gawton Mine.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1002667: Gawton arsenic mine and flue

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• BOILER HOUSE (XIX - 1894 AD to 1894 AD)

Full description

Timms, S., 1985, An Archaeological Assessment of the Remains of the Quay, Mine and Arsenic Works at Gawton, Tavistock Hamlets, 10.1, appendix (Report - Assessment). SDV352213.

10.1 - Boiler house noted on sources dated 1895, 1906, 1953, 1984. good condition. Built 1895. Important survival of balance box.

Dixon, T. + Matthews, A. + Pye A. R. + Slater, W. D., 1988, Gawton Mine and Arsenic Works. The Field Survey. 1988, 38-9 (Report - Survey). SDV222516.

The boiler house is located to the north of the engine house, and has a complete stack still situated at its eastern end outside the building proper. It appears to be of one build with the engine house and with the crusher on its western side, as its roof line is an integral part of the east wall with the latter. It appears to be single storeyed with a sloping roof at the western end and a gable at the eastern end. The main access to the building was through the northern wall at its west end. The internal plan consists of two parallel hollows or flues in between which sat the boiler. The walls survive to their full height. Other details: Figure 20.

Buck, C., 2006, Gawton Mine, Devon: Archaeological Assessment, 41 (Report - Assessment). SDV344672.

Dense ivy covers the top of the boiler house walls, which are largely extant and approximately 2.2 metres high, although in places they are collapsing. The outline of the location of the two boilers can be seen at ground level, and the original boiler side bricks may still be in situ. Other details: Figure 36, site 33.

Buck, C., 2006, Gawton Mine, Devon: Impact Assessment Report, 16-17 (Report - Assessment). SDV348353.

The Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project has proposed that a programme of building conservation and public safety works be undertaken to a number of sites within Gawton Quay and Mine. The boiler house has trees growing both from its interior and from the sides of the walls, and these will be removed, along with the dense vegetation also affecting the structure. The walls appear to be stable, although they would benefit from the upper sections being re-bedded in lime mortar, and the upper surfaces repointed. The south wall is only approximately 0.75 metres above the higher ground level on the south side of the boiler house, and has two window openings, whose cill is at ground level, therefore for safety reasons it is proposed to fence the entire wall. The fence will be erected in such a way as to minimise the visual impact as much as possible. Other details: Figure 4, site 33; figures 8, 11-12.

Ordnance Survey, 2010, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV344030.

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), 84-85, Photographs 29 and 30 (Report - Survey). SDV366131.

The Boiler House was constructed in 1894 and contained two boilers providing steam for the cylinder housed in the adjacent Crusher Engine House (Site No. 34). In 2006 the Boiler House had trees growing from its interior and walls, with ivy covering wall tops. However, the walls were largely extant and surviving up to 2.2 metres high, although some areas of collapse were noted. The outline position of the two boilers was visible at ground level and it was thought possible that the original boiler side bricks may survive in situ, as buried features. It was recommended that the ivy was removed, a full structural assessment undertaken, and the masonry repointed where necessary. A small grill fitted into each of the two flue entrances at the west end of the Boiler House was also suggested.
The Boiler House was found to survive in a similar condition to that described in 2006 with no obvious major failures or collapses. The walls were densely overgrown with ivy, inhibiting assessment, but the door and window opening in the north elevation were visible, as was the steam pipe opening in the shared Engine House (Site No. 34) wall. Boiler flue openings were also visible in the east gable end wall, albeit half buried. Where visible, the perimeter walls were found to be stable, but poorly consolidated in places.
The Boiler House will contain important historic and evidential information relating to the production of arsenic, at a time when there was an increased focus on refining and the production of high-quality arsenic so as to maximise profits. The Boiler House was assessed to be in medium condition and is considered to be of high significance. Vegetation management, wall repairs, wall head consolidation and regular monitoring are recommended.
Other details: Site No. 33.

Jon Avent, 2023, Gawton Mines, Gulworthy, Devon- Structural Condition Report, 10-11 (Report - Survey). SDV366140.

Walls generally remain to full perimeter, but extensive vegetation present restricting assessment. Masonry not considered unstable but is poorly consolidated. Wall heads have been lost in places. Urgent remedial work includes vegetation removal, consolidate wall heads and allow for isolated masonry consolidation. Other details: Site No. 33.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV4746 - Archaeological Assessment of Gawton Mine, Devon
• EDV4747 - Field Survey of Gawton Mine
• EDV9132 - Gawton Mine, Devon- Costed and Prioritised Proposals for Capital Works for the Conservation and Management of Gawton Mine Scheduled Monument
• EDV9133 - Gawton Mines, Gulworthy, Devon- Structural Condition Report

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