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Summary

Engine house which provided power for grinders, buddles and winding gear at Gawton Mine.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1002667: Gawton arsenic mine and flue

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

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

Full description

Dixon, T. + Matthews, A. + Pye A. R. + Slater, W. D., 1988, Gawton Mine and Arsenic Works. The Field Survey. 1988, 36 (Report - Survey). SDV222516.

Two storey engine house, surviving to full height. Other details: Figure 20.

Buck, C., 2006, Gawton Mine, Devon: Archaeological Assessment, 41-2 (Report - Assessment). SDV344672.

The crusher engine house would have provided the power source for both grinders/crushers, the automatic jiggers/buddles, and the winding gears for the three tramways. It is in relatively good condition with extant walls on all elevations. Some of the main timber structural components are showing signs of weakness, causing structural cracks to occur in the surrounding masonry (the smaller timbers have already rotted). The upper sections of the building are covered in ivy, obscuring evidence of any structural defects. Substantial timbers and cill openings are rotting, although there is no dramatic visible deterioration in the surrounding stonework. The substantial timber that was fixed to the west (bob) wall has now gone, leaving the side walls unsupported, and it is apparent the upper section of the west wall is starting to lean outwards. Other details: Figures 12, 26-7, 36, site 34.

Buck, C., 2006, Gawton Mine, Devon: Impact Assessment Report, 17-19 (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 impact of the proposed scheme on the the crusher engine house is to repoint, conserve and consolidate it to ensure its continued survival. Structural remediation works to the bob wall in particular are necessary, as the main structural timbers supporting the plug door and the remainder of the bob wall are visibly failing. The remainder of the building will need repointing where necessary and some timber lintels will need replacing. There is also the need for a permanent safety fence for the Cataract pit, which is a vertical drop from the cylinder bedstone of approximately 2.5 metres. Other details: Figure 4, site 34; figures 11-13; photograph, figure 9.

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), 86-88, Photographs 31, 32 and 33 (Report - Survey). SDV366131.

The Crusher Engine House was constructed in 1894 and utilised a cylinder engine, providing power for the adjacent Grinder House (Site No. 35), Crusher House (Site No. 36), Jigger House (Site No. 37) and winding gears for the three Incline Tramways (Site Nos. 39, 41, 41.1). In 2006 the engine house was found to survive in relatively good condition, with extant walls to all elevations, although some of the main structural timbers were deteriorating, causing cracks in the surrounding masonry. The upper wall sections were shrouded in ivy and not visible. Substantial timbers and cill openings were generally found to be in poor condition. Of greatest concern was the upper section of the bob (west) wall, where the substantial timber that once ran across it, bonding into the wing walls had gone, creating localised voids and structural instability in both wing walls. It was also noted the top of the bob wall was leaning outwards. It was recommended that short term remediation work should be undertaken to infill the undercut base at the front of the wing walls, along with removal of vegetation to enable further structural assessment, in particular of the leaning bob wall. Consolidation works would include repointing, localised stitching of masonry, and the replacement of some structural timbers. Fencing was also recommended at the top of the cataract pit.
The Crusher Engine House was found to survive in a similar condition to that described in 2006, with no obvious major failures or collapses, although extensive sections of the external walling and loadings were covered in ivy which restricted assessment. No obvious lean to the bob wall could be detected. However, the lower levels of the bob wall were secured with temporary shoring, where there was local instability to the opening at cataract pit level. Elsewhere, masonry was not considered to be unstable, but was poorly consolidated in places, with areas of open jointed stonework and some localised voids. To the front (west) the loadings appeared to be in stable condition, although also covered in ivy. The Crusher Engine House was assessed to be in medium condition. The Crusher Engine House will contain important information historic and evidential information relating to the production of arsenic at Gawton Mine, at a time when there was an increased focus on the refining and production of high-quality arsenic so as to maximise profits. The Crusher Engine House is considered to be of high significance. Vegetation management, wall repairs, wall head consolidation, cataract pit fencing and regular monitoring should be undertaken. Other details: Site No. 34.

Jon Avent, 2023, Gawton Mines, Gulworthy, Devon- Structural Condition Report, 12-13 (Report - Survey). SDV366140.

Walls generally remain to full perimeter, but extensive vegetation present restricting access. Masonry not considered unstable but is poorly consolidated. Local instability to low level opening on west wall noted. Internally there is a timber head at low level supporting the bob wall. The timber is severely decayed and scaffolding only providing nominal support. Additional scaffolding or block infill to be considered. Removal of vegetation is essential together with consolidating wall heads and allowing for isolated masonry consolidation. Other details: Site No. 34.

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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