A collection of walks, discoveries, insights and pictures of exploring Dartmoor National Park
October 15, 2024
East Lady Bertha
To the west of Buckland Monachorum, located downhill to the west and south of Berra Tor, lies the remains of East Lady Bertha copper mine. It was a very small prospect which operated between 1856 and the early 1860s; with equipment being auctioned off in February 1861 before the company was finally wound up in 1862/3.
East Lady Bertha mine along with the Buller and Bertha Mine to the north-east, represented an attempt to exploit copper lodes which were alleged extensions of the Lady Bertha Mine lodes to the west, close to the River Tavy. The East Lady Betha Mine site today, is currently under trees, scrub and bracken, with most remaining features comprising dumps and earthworks with feint outline of buildings.
The mine had a 14in cylinder condensing horizontal steam engine, which appears to have been made operational in September 1859 during a ‘halcyon’* period of the mine, but was part of the equipment auction in February 1861. The location of the engine was probably in a building (Engine House) sited next to a chimney which is depicted on 19th Century Ordnance Survey maps. The engine appears to have had a 10 ton boiler associated with it which no doubt was positioned next to the chimney. The engine was probably used for pumping and hoisting for either of both of two shafts at the mine.
As well as the ruins of the probable Engine House and Chimney Stack, other surviving features include two shafts, spoil heaps, a further building (probable Account House), a probable adit portal and a possible dressing floor with two round buddles, the latter of which is incongruous with the mine since there is evidence that Tin was ever found and there appears that there was no water source feeding the site.
The author would like to thank Dartmoor Chris in his assistance in providing valuable information relating to this small mine, without which much of the history recorded here would not have been possible
*Records from Tavistock Gazette and the Times show that the mine was in credit in July 1859 and June 1860 with it having very good prospects in July 1860.
Bibliography
Newman, P., 2011, Mining in the Tavy Valley, West Devon. An Assessment of Archaeological Potential, 14 (Report – Assessment). SDV347105
Historic England, 2021-2022, NRHE to HER website (Website). SDV364039
Mining Journals – Nos 1328 (2nd February 1861), 1329 (9th February 1861), 1331 (23rd February 1861), 1443 (18th April 1863), 1446 (9th May 1863), 1471 (31st October 1863)
Tavistock Gazette – Various dates between April 1860 and February 1866
Mines of Devon – Volume 1 – The Southern Area – 1974 – A.K. Hamilton Jenkin (Page 52)
The Metalliferous Mining Region of South-West England Volume II page 710 – 1956 – H.G.Dines
This is an interpretive map of the East Lady Bertha Mine site (as no official plans exist). There are two buildings shown on 19th century OS maps, which have been interpreted as an being a ‘Engine House’ (as it is located next to a known chimney and it was known a steam engine was operational at the mine) and a ‘Account House’ (based on fact that a Tavistock Gazette entry in 1861 mentioned Account House furniture being sold by auction at the mine). Hamilton Jenkin records that “East Lady Bertha was in course of sinking in 1860 when it reached a depth of 29 fathoms and was equipped with a 14in horizontal engine adapted for pumping and winding”. Dines dismissed the mine as being little more than a trial.The ground disturbance of the mine is very evident from the above LiDar (Light Detection And Ranging) plot. There is a small area where parking is possible (between Berra Tor and Hele Plantation at the end of a lane leading from Coppicetown Farm) should anyone wish to visit the area. This view is looking north west across the Double Waters valleysTavy ValleyThis stone is located near Berra Tor camp / settlement (at SX47898 69344) has an interesting inscription, which is taken from a famous song, ‘You are my sunshine’ (see lyrics below). The 8318 means ‘I love you forever’ (8 letters, 3 words, 1 meaning (831) then the second 8 is the ‘forever’ – basically an infinity sign on its side) You are my sunshine My only sunshine You make me happy When skies are grey You’ll never know, dear How much I love you Please don’t take My sunshine awayContextual picture of the location of the ‘You are my sunshine…..’ inscribed rock (it is part of this small gateway / entrance)Enroute to Berra Tor and the mine this ‘Settlement’ (as labelled on modern OS Maps) is passed. In the 19th Century this was labelled as a ‘Camp – remains of’. It dates from the old Iron AgeIt is difficult to get a picture of the Settlement / Camp, which in the 21st Century is basically a large oval field. According to the Historic England, thus ; “Despite reduction in the height of the rampart and disturbance to the interior through cultivation as a nationally rare type of monument, the Iron Age defended settlement 180m north east of Berra Tor survives comparatively well and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction, use, strategic significance, agricultural practices and domestic arrangements.”Berra Tor is a small sedimentary outcropBerra Tor is located just north of the mine and has historically been referenced as Bellator TorBerra Tor from downhill, just above the East Lady Bertha mine To the west of Berra Tor (near to a track) and approximately 60m up hill, to the north, from the Lower (Engine) Shaft is this conical pit, with only little spoil by its side. The Upper Shaft is located at SX47739 69064. Adjacent to the shaft is a rectangular pitThis Rectangular Pit has been measured at 10m long by 3m wide and 1m deep. The pit appears to aligns with the Engine House and thus may have been associated with pumping or hoisting.The Rectangular Pit is located at SX47745 69065Contextual picture of the Upper Shaft and the Rectangular PitGeneral view of the mine area, which shows lots of evidence of old earth dumps and workings, which Dines recorded as showing veinstone of quartz and chlorite with mispickel, pyrite and some siderite. The location of the Engine House is to the right of this picture and the Account House to the left side. The mine is located to the west of Balstone WoodThe Lower Shaft was probably known as the Engine Shaft. Interestingly, published in Tavistock Gazette on Friday 22nd July 1859 was the following: “East Bertha Consols quarterly meeting on Wednesday, (Mr. T. Fuller in the chair). The accounts showed, Calls, £450, mine cost, three months, including engine, $477.7s.2d, leaving a credit balance of £2.12s.10d. A satisfactory report from the agent was read. A call of 1s per share was made”. Lower Shaft (Engine Shaft?). Captain W. Goss writes – “We are making good progress in sinking the Engine Shaft; the ground is most favourable, and the lode maintaining its size, composed of gossan, peach, mundic, with good stones of copper ore. The killas by the side of the lode is strongly stained with green oxide of copper. The engine is working well, and all operations are going on very satisfactory.” The Morning Chronicle: Saturday 15th October 1859.On 29th March 1860, the Tavistock Gazette published the following: “East Bertha Consols, a mine of great promise, inasmuch as all the shoots of ore in Lady Bertha are dipping fast into this property, which cannot fall (sic) to become highly productive of large deposits of copper ore and will be partially drained by the workings in Lady Bertha”. A week later Tavistock Gazette additionally published the following: “East Lady Bertha Mine: – At East Bertha Mine meeting, on Wednesday, (Mr. T. Fuller in the chair). The accounts showed a credit balance of £20.19s.1d. A call of 2s.6d per share was made”. Finally on 4th June 1860, the Times, published: “East Lady Bertha Mine: – At the meeting the accounts showed a credit balance of £20; a call of 2s.6d. per share was made”. It would seem that the prospect was very positive over this 2-3 month period in 1860This pathway lies just below the site of the Engine House and would have been used as access to the siteViewed from near the trackway, this promontory was the location of the Engine House – the walling can just about be discerned in the photograph“The erection of the engine is nearly complete, and it is expected to commence working the following week, when the sinking on the course of the lode will be resumed. This property is situated to the east of Lady Bertha, the rich courses of ore in this mine are dipping into that mine, and the ground being of such highly mineralised character cannot fail to produce large deposits of copper ore, equal to the reported value by some of the first authorities of the day”. Tavistock Gazette: Friday 16th September 1859.The footprint of the Engine House is still visible with there being traces of turf-covered walling. At the southern end there is the most upstanding sectionRecorded in the Tavistock Gazette on Friday 27th July 1860 stated : “East Bertha & South Lady Bertha: – These mines have been visited during the week by a deputation of the shareholders, accompanied by the manager, Captain J. Richards, who will concur in the very good prospects of both mines. East Bertha presents unusual indications of a great mine; the driving in the 30 will in all probability be attended by cutting a rich course of ore”. The prospects looked (or at least were reported as being good) in July 1860, yet just over 6 months later the mine was auctioning off its assets. This is a horizontal Steam Engine dating from around the 1870’s, around 15-20 years after the mine closed, That said, the shape of the Engine employed at the mine would no doubt have been similarAdjacent to the Engine House there was a Chimney (as shown on 19th Century OS maps). There is a slight indent at SX47747 68992, which might have been where it was located.Entry from the Mining Journal number 1329 published on Saturday 9th February 1861. The list of items for the auction (which was held on Saturday 16th February 1861 at the mine) makes interesting reading. There was a 10 ton boiler and a 14in cylinder HORIZONTAL CONDENSING ENGINE, which is consistent with there being an Engine House (next to a Chimney). There is mention of a shaft bob with balance box, suggesting hoisting and hauling, which was probably part of the Engine set up. There is also Account House furniture and Smiths’ bellows, anvil and vice. These items give an insight as to the extent of the operation.Another set of entries from the Mining Journal number 1329 published on Saturday 9th February 1861.This pronounced north-south gully is located around 15 metres from the Engine House The gully terminates with a vertical rock cutting on the northern endThis possible adit portal is sited where the upper section of the rock cutting is visible in the gully. The adit has clearly been backfilled. It is located at SX47774 68983This metal detritus was found in the gully where the adit portal is located. Part of the metalwork looks like it came from an old bedstead. Was this metalwork part of the mine or perhaps dumped here in more recent times? Either way the metalwork looks quite old. Collage of the metal detritusPiece of stonework located near the adit portal and gully to the south of the Engine HouseFungi near the Account HouseCollage of the Fungi found – October 2024This is the level platform where the Account House was located. It is a large footprint and the building may well have been used for accommodation. Perhaps the metal detritus (which included what looks like an old iron bedstead) may have come from this building?The centre of the Account House is located at SX47779 69026 (which matches exactly with the 19th century OS Maps shown on National Library of Scotland – side by side) The Account House appears to have been constructed on two levels. The map shows a ‘extension’ on the north side, which in reality is on a higher level. The higher level is shown on the main part of the photograph with the lower level to the far right of the pictureThe upper level of the Account House has evidence of old stoneworkMore stonework from the upper level of the Account House. The centre of the upper level was measured at SX47778 69031This recess area was under a lot of vegetation which was cleared by the author. Dr Phil Newman (mine expert) recorded of this feature : “A stone-lined recess 1.4m wide, cut into the slope has the appearance of the end section of a wheelpit but this is unlikely as no water supply would be available at this altitude”The stone lined recess is located at SX47782 69023 and using National Library of Scotland (side by side maps) this grid reference indicates this is part of the south east edge of the Account House. To the authors (untrained) eye, he speculates that either it was part of a W.C or possibly where wooden stairs may have been located to access the upper level. Any other ideas would be gratefully received.Adjacent and to the east of the recess, Dr Phil Newman records that there are “a pair of very good candidates for round buddles. The circular level platforms are cut into the slope with a 0.4m high curving scarp to the rear. Their diameters is 6.8m”. The area described is very overgrown and the author believes the area shown in the photograph is one of the circular platforms. As Dr Newman further states: “If these were indeed buddles, there presence here is puzzling at a mine which is recorded as a copper mine and which has no water supply”.One of the possible ‘Buddles’ – very overgrownAnother possible site of one of the possible ‘Buddles’ – very overgrownThe final ‘winding up’ information of East Bertha Mining Company as recorded in the Mining Journal number 1443 published on Saturday 18th April 1863More records of the mine being ‘wound-up’ as recorded in the Mining Journal number 1446 published on Saturday 9th May 1863More records of the mine being ‘wound-up’ as recorded in the Mining Journal number 1471 published on Saturday 31st October 1863. It would seem the court was requesting more creditors / claimants to come forward after the winding-up of the mineDuring the second period of working at Lady Bertha Mine between 1880 and 1891, the directors of the mine acquired the sett of East Lady Bertha. However, there is no record of operations restarting at East Lady Bertha during this time. Note: Lady Bertha is located on private landDines (1956) records that both East Lady Bertha and Buller & Bertha, were small mines and were little more than trials on the eastward extensions of the Lady Bertha lode. Furthermore, Dines states there were no plans of underground workings or records of output. Buller and Bertha is still shown (unlabelled) on modern OS maps at SX48714 69596 but lies in a field on private land