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Summary

Building which housed the machinery for screening unwanted material from ore, on west side 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

• METAL PROCESSING SITE (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, 10.2, appendix (Report - Assessment). SDV352213.

10.2 - Jigger house noted on sources dated 1895, 1906, 1953, 1984. Fair condition. Built 1895.

Dixon, T. + Matthews, A. + Pye A. R. + Slater, W. D., 1988, Gawton Mine and Arsenic Works. The Field Survey. 1988, 40 (Report - Survey). SDV222516.

The jigger house consists of a long rectangular structure located below and to the west of the engine house, partly terraced into the natural rock. The northern wall is built of shillet, with shillet piers built where necessary to support the roof. The structure is now completely open at the west end. Two shillet lined channels run down each side of the structure, merging at the west end to run out towards the shute and the dumps. Other details: Figure 20.

Buck, C., 2006, Gawton Mine, Devon: Archaeological Assessment, 37 (Report - Assessment). SDV344672.

Structure labelled 'Jigger Mill' on plan of 1895. This automated building, powered by the engine house, housed the machinery to screen out unwanted material which after processing would have gone down to the calciners for burning. Water would have been used from the reservoir pond in great quantities for this process. The ground space within which the jigger house was built can be seen, although it is densely overgrown. Bedrock has been removed on the south and east sides to create a platform, which is now visible, as are some of the extant masonry pillars on the north side of the building. Trial pits undertaken in the 1970s revealed that the floor was in good condition, with machine plinths and bolts in situ, as well as a quantity of crushed and treated ore. Other details: Figure 36, site 37.

Buck, C., 2006, Gawton Mine, Devon: Impact Assessment Report, 22-23 (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. A visit to the site of the Jigger house demonstrates the number of trees and ground vegetation affecting the feature. This will only be removed where the structural stability of the side walls is threatened, and where removal will aid the interpretation of the site. Safety fencing will have to be erected along the south side, as there is a nearly vertical drop of 3 metres to the former Jigger floor, but there will be no ground disturbance of any buried Jigger house features. Other details: Figure 4, site 37; figure 11.

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), 95-96, Photographs 40 and 41 (Report - Survey). SDV366131.

The Jigger House was illustrated on an 1895 abandoned mine plan where it is labelled a ‘Jigger Mill’. The Jigger House was the third stage process where ore that had been either crushed or ground, was processed further, to discard unwanted material. In 2006 the ground space on which the Jigger House was built was densely overgrown. Some extant pillars which formerly supported the roof were visible on the north side of the building, but otherwise, no masonry features were noted. Vegetation clearance was recommended to enable a structural and archaeological assessment.
The recent vegetation clearance within the Jigger House revealed its footprint and structural features including the rock cut face on the southside, and the stone masonry retained north side, topped with six roof supporting stone pillars. Four low surviving remnant pillars, symmetrically positioned, were also noted at the west end on the south side of the building’s footprint. The pillars and stone retaining wall were frequently open jointed, the stonework forming the pillar tops was loose, and in places some movement to the pillars was detected. Woodland detritus was present in the base of the Jigger House. A stone lined gully was partly visible on the north side of the floor, running the length of the building, measuring approximately 1.5 metres wide by 300 millimetres deep. The Jigger House was assessed to be in medium condition. The Jigger House will contain some 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. The Jigger House remains are assessed to be of medium significance, relative to other features and structures across the Site. No urgent works were identified for the Jigger House, however, it was recommended that their long term stability is reviewed, and allowance is made for vegetation management, pillar repairs and regular monitoring which should be undertaken. Other details: Site No. 37.

Jon Avent, 2023, Gawton Mines, Gulworthy, Devon- Structural Condition Report, 18-19 (Report - Survey). SDV366140.

Masonry piers collapsed on south side, stone retaining wall to north side in fair condition. Some movement identified to remaining piers on north side. No urgent works. The masonry piers are isolated structures and potentially unstable in places. Other details: Site No. 37.

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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