Dartmoor Explorations

A collection of walks, discoveries, insights and pictures of exploring Dartmoor National Park

Doe Tor Green (Wheal Mary Emma) Tinners’ Mill

This Tin Mill is located on the left (east) bank of the River Lyd, on the periphery of the workings of Wheal Mary Emma Mine (1849-1888) being centred at SX53328 85240. The site was surveyed in September 1985 by Dr Tom Greeves and Rosemary Robinson and a plan created. Tom, kindly sent the author a copy of the plan, which has aided interpretation and content found in this post

From the survey, the conclusion was that it was most likely to have been a blowing house with some tin slag also being found here. The many of the workings around the mill are from the 19th century, however, the mill is likely to be from 16th or 17th century in date. The site includes the probable site of the furnace, a leat, a leat embankment, a tail race and a possible buddle. Unfortunately, a wheelpit does not survive as it appears to have been buried by spoil or upcast from a 19th century miners pit.

Bibliography

  1. Dr. Tom Greeves and Rosemary Robinson (1984) -Building near Wheal Mary Emma (Report – Survey). SDV236347.
0. Sketch
This simple sketch is based on the plane table plan produced by Tom Greeves and Rosemary Robinson from over 40 years ago. The features they identified are shown with the author adding a possible ‘small recess’ found in the upper end of the mill.
1a. General view
General view of the Tinners’ Mill from near the entrance looking in a north easterly direction
1b. General view
Looking at the Tinners’ Mill from the Leat Embankment in a south westerly direction
1c. General view
Looking SSW down the river to give a contextual location of the Tinners’ Mill in relation to the main (dressing floor) part of Wheal Mary Emma
1d. General view
Another view of the mill from above
2a. Furnace
Site of the (probable) furnace
2b. Furnace
Close up of the probable furnace
2c. Furnace
Slightly zoomed out view of the whole mill and probable furnace
3a. Inside the Mill
Inside the mill, looking north east. A visit is best in winter as the mill is overgrown with bracken in summer. Note the walling still in place
3b. Inside the Mill
Corner of mill showing the walls which could be 400 years old
3c. Recess
The author found a possible small recess. Either this has been created by tumbled stonework or it was here by design?
4a. Outside the Mill
Outside the mill to the south west. The upcast from 19th century tinners’ pit and the tailrace being evident
4b. Outside the Mill
Close up of the outside wall where the furnace is located
5. Tailrace
Tailrace, pit and upcast
6. Dry Leat
The leat hugging the hillside on the left bank (east) of the Lyd. The takeoff, is near an old enclosure around 250m upstream
7. Above the Mill
Another view from above the mill. Note the footpath on the west bank of the Lyd which, if followed leads to Black Rock and the Captain Hunter memorial
8. Looking up Lyd
The mill is located in a lovely part of the Lyd valley
9. Leat and Embankment
View of the Leat Embankment and line of the leat looking up the Lyd valley
10. Possible Buddle
Possible buddle on entrance side of the mill
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