SOME ADDITIONAL UNUSED NOTES

Last notes

Birch Tor & Vitifer Mine minerals - links to two other pages - mentions of Paul's Lode, Old Engine Lode, Old Vitifer Lode, North Lode/Hambly's Lode, Lance's Lode, Prideaux Lode, Lean's Lodes (going over the hill to Headland Mine).

https://www.mindat.org/photo-354412.html Lean's Lodes

https://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1330988#aRt

Dartmoor tin-mining, an online resource

PHOTOS FOR VISUAL AIDS

SMALL ONE OF HIGH WHEEL .... c.1930, Vitifer Mine, abanconed stamps, note Mrs Deborah Hannaford

TALL WHEEL ..... c.1935, ditto, note Mr W DoddMakers name: PEARCE of TAVISTOCK.

PHOTO WITH STAMPS .....c.1937, big waterwheel, pitchback, stamps were in a shed

 

 

 

BIRCH TOR AND VITIFER TIN MINES

ALTERNATIVE NAME:  GOLDEN DAGGER OPENWOKS
DESCRIPTION + / 

A tin mining complex formed by the Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mine setts which cover an area of approximately six square kilometres. The area contains forty beamworks and opencuts, leats, lode back working, prospecting features and streamworks. The earliest features date from the Medieval and were in use until the 18th century. During the 19th and early 20th century these techniques were replaced by nucleated shaft and adit mines. These were the most important on Dartmoor and are some of the best survivals of the later phases of Dartmoors mining tradition. Some of the features were included in an archaeological field survey carried out by English Heritage in 2001-2. Details of individual sites have been recorded seperated, see child records for details.

DETAIL + / -
MORE INFORMATION & SOURCES
 + / -
Tin mines in the Redwater Valley centred SX 6820 8100. The later mine remains, which date from the 18th-20th centuries, lie mostly among the evidence of Mediaeval streamworks, beamworks and openworks and consist of shafts, adits, wheelpits, leats, tramways and buildings. For details see child records. (1)

The mining complex formed by the Birch Tor and Vitifer tin mines covers an area of approximately six square kilometres. The area contains forty beamworks and opencuts, leats, lode back working, prospecting features and streamworks. The earliest features date from the Medieval and were in use until the 18th century. During the 19th and early 20th century these techniques were replaced by nucleated shaft and adit mines. These were the most important on Dartmoor and are some of the best survivals of the later phases of Dartmoors mining tradition. (2)
SOURCE TEXT

(2) English Heritage Monuments Protection Programme Industrial Monuments Assessment, Step 3 Reports

Cranstone D. and Hedley I. June 1995, The Tin Industry Step 3 Site Assessments: Devon 56a 59

(1) Field Investigators Comments

Newman P 14th Jan 2001 EH Archaeological Field Investigation
RELATED MONUMENTS + / -
Monument Name/No Resources Description
BIRCH TOR AND VITIFER MINE LEAT 
DARTMOOR FOREST
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
A leat which served the served the waterwheels at the Birch Tor, Vitifer and Golden Dagger Tin Mines. A branch of the leat also supplied water to Whea...
MONUMENT NO. 916242 
DARTMOOR FOREST
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
An area of intensive 19th century or earlier tinworking covering an area of 20 hectares extending from West Cottages to Statts Bridge on the northern...
MONUMENT NO. 916281 
DARTMOOR FOREST
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
Part of a post Medieval leat situated within the Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mines area extending from a point 50 metres southeast of Statts Bridge, int...
MONUMENT NO. 1330917 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
Earthwork remains of mining activity sited within the Vitifer Lode openwork at the Birch Tor and Vitifer Mines which were operational from 1780 until ...
MONUMENT NO. 1330991 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
Earthwork features associated with underground work at Hambly's and North lodes, at the northern part of Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mines which was ope...
MONUMENT NO. 1339596 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
Remains of a possible turbine house built into the base of a slope at the lower, eastern end of the Vitifer Lode openwork at Birch Tor and Vitifer Ti...
MONUMENT NO. 1344295 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
A row of workers' houses including the Captain's house at Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mines. The three houses are situated on the eastern lower side of ...
MONUMENT NO. 1338508 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
A miner's house for the use of miners and their families of Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mines. The building was a single-storey timber bungalow, L-shape...
MONUMENT NO. 1339514 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
A probable 19th century wheelpit situated west of the mine track adjacent to a large water-filled adit opening at Birch Tor and Vitifer Tine Mines. An...
MONUMENT NO. 1339548 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
Remains of a tin dressing floor and stamping mill situated on the east side of the Redwater Valley which served as the main processing area to the Bir...
MONUMENT NO. 916223 
DARTMOOR FOREST
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
An area of intensive 19th century or earlier opencast lode tinworking covering an area of 19 hectares on the lower south-facing slope of Water Hill, b...
MONUMENT NO. 1338394 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
The mine manager's house to Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mines. The building was described as `an imposing bungalow with a veranda of wood and glass. Thi...
MONUMENT NO. 1339505 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
Remains of a probable 19th century mine building situated to the southeast of a wheelpit (Monument HOB UID 1339493) at Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mines...
MONUMENT NO. 1339524 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
A nineteenth century wheelpit at Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mines. An archaeological field survey in 2001 identified the wheelpit situated on the north...
MONUMENT NO. 1339545 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
A tin dressing floor situated in the central area of Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mines. The site is depicted on the Ordnance Survey 25" map of 1885 wher...
MONUMENT NO. 1339586 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
Remains of a mine building which housed the miners' dry and other ancilliary functions at Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mines. It is depicted on the Ordna...
GOLDEN DAGGER TIN MINE 
MANATON
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
Site of a nineteenth century tin mine. Tin mining at this location is first documented in 1809 when stamping mills are depicted on the Ordnance Survey...
WEST COTTAGES 
DARTMOOR FOREST
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
The remains of miner's houses situated immediately south of the B3212, 320 metres southwest of the Warren House Inn. The houses date from the late 19t...
MONUMENT NO. 1338412 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
Remains of a probable 19th century wheelpit at Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mines. An archaeological field survey in 2001 recorded the structure situated...
MONUMENT NO. 1338505 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
A miner's house built for miners and their families at Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mines. The building comprised a single storey timber bungalow, l-shap...
MONUMENT NO. 1339493 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
A probable 19th century wheelpit situated near the south edge of the Birch Tor Lode at Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mines. An archaeological field survey...
MONUMENT NO. 1339509 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
A probable Medieval or later tinners' hut sited at the foot of a slope, to the south of the Birch Tor Lode openwork at Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mine...
MONUMENT NO. 1339535 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
A nineteenth century wheelpit sited near the main area of surface activity at Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mines. An archaeological field survey in 2001 ...
MONUMENT NO. 1339608 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
Remains of ruined building, believed to be the carpenter's shop, at Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mines. The building is

 

OLDEN DAGGER TIN MINE

DESCRIPTION + / -

Site of a nineteenth century tin mine. Tin mining at this location is first documented in 1809 when stamping mills are depicted on the Ordnance Survey first edition map. The mine was particularly active from 1835 to 1860, however, it was not until the 1850s that the mine is known as Golden Dagger Tin Mine. By 1892 the mine employed 41 people. Underground production ceased at the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. Work recommenced following the end the war but this was limited to the reworking of waste heaps within the confines of the Redwater Valley floor. An archaeological field survey in 2002 could not locate evidence of this activity due to the site having been overwhelmed by bog, scrub growth and conifer plantation.

The lode worked by the mine extends east to west across Soussons Down and its course is marked by a deep and narrow openwork extending between Redwater and Walla Brook. All of the 19th century underground activity is located within or close to this working. A number of adits and shafts exist within the openwork including the Machine Shaft which has a wheelpit sited adjacent to it. The mine was served by four dressing floors and several ancillary buildings.

DETAIL + / -
MORE INFORMATION & SOURCES
 + / -
Golden Dagger Mine
Nineteenth-century mining was occuring at this location by 1809 when the position of stamping mills are indicated on the 1st edition 1-inch OS map (1), and Broughton states that the mine was particularly active from 1835 to 1860 (2). However, it was not until the 1850s that the name Golden Dagger is first recorded. From 1879 Moses Bawden became associated with the mineas secretary and chief agent and in the following 25 years is believed to have spent �20,000 on developing it. In 1892 41 people were employed at the mine and tin was produced to the value of �1530. Work underground was halted at the outbreak of hostilities in 1914 but surface working continued after the war, under several companies, reworking the waste heaps of earlier tinners, within the confines of the Redwater valley floor. The Torr Trust was the last of the companies operating between 1925 and 1930. Many photographs of the tin dressing operations survive from this period and have been published by Greeves (3), though much of the activity depicted is no longer evident, having been overwhelmed by bog, scrub growth and conifer plantation.

The lode worked by the Golden Dagger Mine runs east to west across Soussons Down and its course is marked by a deep and narrow openwork extending between the Redwater and Walla Brook and centered SX6796028. All of the 19th century underground activity is located within or close to this working, unfortunately much of this is currently covered by conifer plantation, some of which has collapsed over the remains, prohibiting survey. A number of shafts known to exist withhin the openwork including the Machine Shaft which has a wheelpit sited adjacent to it. At the far west end of the openwork three shaftheads centered SX6734 8016 are accessible referred to by Broughton as the Old West Shafts. The positions of two adits are also visible; one at the eastern terminal of the openwork at SX 6823 8035, survives now only as a small opening. A second collapsed adit at SX 6813 8036 is visible 125m to the west and uphill in the floor of the openwork. The masonry revetments which lined the side of the tramway are visible and a small finger dump occupies the bottom of the openwork to the east. (4)

The mine had 4 dressing floors and several ancillary buildings (see child records for details).
SOURCE TEXT

(1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 1883 25-inch 1st edition map

(2) D G Broughton 1968 The Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mining Complex (Dept. Geog. Kingston College - unpub. typescript)

(3) Tom Greeves 1986 Tin mines and miners of Dartmoor : a photographic record

(4) Field Investigators Comments

Newman P 25-July-2002 EH Archaeological Field Investigation

RELATED MONUMENTS + / -
Monument Name/No Resources Description
BIRCH TOR AND VITIFER TIN MINES 
NORTH BOVEY
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
A tin mining complex formed by the Birch Tor and Vitifer Tin Mine setts which cover an area of approximately six square kilometres. The area contains ...
MONUMENT NO. 1362163 
MANATON
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
Remains of a tin stamping mill and dressing floor situated on the east side of the Walla Brook within an earlier gully associated with an area of stre...
DINAHS HOUSE 
MANATON
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
Remains of a miner's house and office situated on the east side of the Redwater within Soussons Plantation beside the mine track at Golden Dagger Tin ...
ENGINE HOUSE 
MANATON
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
Remains of an early 20th century engine house and dressing floor situated on the east side of the Redwater Valley beside the Challacombe track and wit...
MONUMENT NO. 1362182 
MANATON
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
A Miners' dry at Golden Dagger Mine. An archaeological field survey in 2002 located the building situated in a level area beside the track on the west...
MONUMENT NO. 1362184 
MANATON
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
A tin stamping mill situated on the east side of the Redwater Valley floor within Soussons Plantation at Golden Dagger Tin Mine. The Ordnance Survey f...
MONUMENT NO. 1362172 
MANATON
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
A late 19th century tin stamping mill at Golden Dagger Tin Mine. The mill is situated on the east side of Redwater and was in existence by 1885 when d...
MONUMENT NO. 1362177 
MANATON
Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information
A stamping mill situated on the west side of the Redwater Valley within Soussons Plantation at Golden Dagger Tin Mine. This mill was not depicted o