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Summary

Crusher or grinder house located on the south side of the 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

• GRINDING 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, 37 (Report - Survey). SDV222516.

Crusher located immediately south of the engine house survives to full height, and is two storeyed with a gable in the western wall. At first floor level there are openings in the eastern wall, presumably for loading raw materials. Other details: Figure 20.

Buck, C., 2006, Gawton Mine, Devon: Archaeological Assessment, 42 (Report - Assessment). SDV344672.

The grinder house, named as such on a plan of abandoned mines, is located on the south side of the engine house, and appears to be in a relatively good condition, with extant walls on all elevations. However the design of these buildings utilised a great deal of timber, some of which appears to be rotting, and stone from a local source which is now very soft and crumbling. Other details: Figures 28, 36, site 35.

Buck, C., 2006, Gawton Mine, Devon: Impact Assessment Report, 19-21 (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 crusher house is simply to repoint, conserve and consolidate the building to ensure its continued survival. There are few structural remediation works necessary for this building, however the rotting of timber lintels in the east wall, which supported the wall above the large timber joist holes, has caused localised collapse of a section of wall. The lintels should be replaced and the masonry rebuilt to strengthen the wall. In addition, some other rotting lintels on this wall should be replaced and limited repointing undertaken. Other details: Figure 4, site 35; figures 11, 13; photograph figure 10.

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), 89-91, Photographs 34, 35 and 36 (Report - Survey). SDV366131.

The Grinder House was located on the south side of the Crusher Engine House and was the second stage of the process after the ore had been broken into smaller pieces in the ‘stonebreaking’ Ore Crusher (Site No. 31). In 2006 the Grinder House was found to be in relatively good condition, with extant walls to all elevation. However, some areas of masonry, where material was probably derived from a local quarry, appeared to be crumbling, creating potential structural weakness. Note was also made of the extensive use of timber in this type of building, and the potential for its weakening strength over time. Some rotting timbers were identified. It was recommended that the side walls and wall tops would need to be repointed, a number of the large structural timbers replaced, and possible localised restitching of masonry.
The Grinder 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 were covered in ivy. Following the recent ground level vegetation clearance, some interesting interior features were revealed, including a pair of metal plates projecting into the interior from the east wall, and a small ramp, constructed through the west wall at ground level, presumably to take processed material away. Generally, the masonry was not considered unstable, although was found to be poorly consolidated and open jointed in places, with some localised voids. In addition, a first floor opening on the west elevation was considered a possible stability risk to the wall. Overall, the Grinder House was assessed to be medium condition. The Grinder House will contain important historic and evidential information relating to the production of arsenic at Gawton Mine, at a time when there was an increased focus on refining methods and the production of high-quality arsenic, so as to maximise profits. Notably, the Grinder House at Gawton Mine is reasonably well preserved and forms a legible component of the Crusher Engine House complex and it is considered to be of high significance. Vegetation management, wall repairs, wall head consolidation and regular monitoring should be undertaken. Other details: Site No. 35.

Jon Avent, 2023, Gawton Mines, Gulworthy, Devon- Structural Condition Report, 14-15 (Report - Survey). SDV366140.

Walls generally remain to full perimeter (except to east side) but vegetation present restricting access. Masonry not considered unstable but is poorly consolidated and an opening on the west side is considered a stability risk . Works required include removal of vegetation, consolidate wall heads and allow for isolated masonry consolidation. Locally prop, consolidate or infill low level opening. Other details: Site No. 35.

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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