Remains of a small, 19th-century tin and copper mine situated along two tributaries of the River Lemon. The mine was operational during the 1850s and early 1860s. In 1851 it was documented as having a dressing floor powered by a 30-feet water wheel which powered 32 heads of stamps. A second wheel was added later to take the number of stamps up to 48. The mine was closed in 1856. In 1862 it was reopened adits were driven and a new 60 feet waterwheel was installed to power the stamps. The mine was closed in 1866.
Tin mine that once boasted the largest waterwheel on the moor, measuring an impressive 60 feet in diameter and 2.5 feet wide.
An archaeological field survey in 1999 recorded some of the earthworks included adits, shaft heads and a wheel pit which may have housed a 30 foot wheel powering pumping equipment. Other features included the dressing floors, and a possible blacksmith’s shop were also recorded but were obscured by heavy vegetation cover. The dressing floors were served by a tramway. Its route is visible on aerial photographs and sections of the trackbed on the ground were well preserved.
This site is included in the local list of Nationally Important Dartmoor sites.
External Links
Publications (2)
- Collins, J.H. (1912); Observations of the West of England Mining Region; 753 pages
- Dines, Henry George (1956); BGS - Regional Memoirs - Metalliferous Mining Region of South West England Vol2, The; 335 pages
