A collection of walks, discoveries, insights and pictures of exploring Dartmoor National Park
January 24, 2025
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
Dr. Tom Greeves and Rosemary Robinson (1984) -Building near Wheal Mary Emma (Report – Survey). SDV236347.
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. General view of the Tinners’ Mill from near the entrance looking in a north easterly directionLooking at the Tinners’ Mill from the Leat Embankment in a south westerly directionLooking SSW down the river to give a contextual location of the Tinners’ Mill in relation to the main (dressing floor) part of Wheal Mary EmmaAnother view of the mill from aboveSite of the (probable) furnaceClose up of the probable furnaceSlightly zoomed out view of the whole mill and probable furnaceInside 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 placeCorner of mill showing the walls which could be 400 years oldThe author found a possible small recess. Either this has been created by tumbled stonework or it was here by design?Outside the mill to the south west. The upcast from 19th century tinners’ pit and the tailrace being evidentClose up of the outside wall where the furnace is locatedTailrace, pit and upcastThe leat hugging the hillside on the left bank (east) of the Lyd. The takeoff, is near an old enclosure around 250m upstreamAnother 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 memorialThe mill is located in a lovely part of the Lyd valleyView of the Leat Embankment and line of the leat looking up the Lyd valleyPossible buddle on entrance side of the mill