South Bedford Mine Chimney Devon

by Richard Brookes

Title

South Bedford Mine Chimney Devon

Artist

Richard Brookes

Medium

Photograph

Description

Climbing sinuous stems of ivy strangle a ruined Victorian chimney stack of the abandoned South Bedford Mine, formerly Wheal Luscombe. Now more reminiscent of scene from Sleeping Beauty, the mine once worked copper, black tin & pyrite. It is believed that the first steam engine in Devon was sited here in 1803. The poignant ruins are situated deep in a remote part of a reforested area on the banks of the River Tamar in West Devon on the Cornwall border, SW England, UK.

There is some uncertainty about the use of this terminal chimney stack. Tamar Valley Industrial Archaeology research notes mention its flue passed southwards to a probable 1850s burning house (now lost). It also mentions evidence of a nearby leat embankment and adjoining flatrod trench associated with a 45ft diameter pumping wheel (pit infilled and lost) and other overgrown ruins nearby. It is believed some have been destroyed or overlaid by forestry work. Overgrown remains include a pit for a 24ft diameter water wheel and its flanking roller crusher and winding houses. Low wall remains are believed to be the Captain's House and mine offices. The engine and haulage shaft is nearby but the balance bob pit is believed to have been destroyed when the shaft neck collapsed. A high stone wall with decorative arches retains spoil dumps. A lean-to shed here may have held ore bins. Ore may have been transported by the adjoining Frementor Railway, although another possibility mentioned is the use of barges of the Tamar Manure Navigation Canal which could have been loaded from the river. [Source TVIA]

Before steam power took over, water power was used. This involved using a combination of water wheels, reservoirs, leats and connecting flat rods to transfer power used in the extraction and processing of ore. Mines were often difficult to access having to locate near the mineral lodes and rocky outcrops. Consequently sites were often in remote areas near to water sources and on steep slopes to take advantage of gravity. To overcome all of these difficulties required considerable engineering skills and ingenuity, especially given the lack of technology.

The mine worked four lodes known as Main (aka Luscombe), Middle, South and Gunnislake Caunter. In 1841 it was incorporated into the Bedford United sett but was too far away to be worked effectively. Consequently from 1850 the mine was incorporated into a new sett, namely the East Gunnislake and South Bedford Mine. Between 1854-71, 5,300 tones of copper ore were produced with some pyrite and tin. Mine disused by 1884.

Due to the importance of this site in the development of pioneering mining skills and technology which were exported around the whole world, the site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Mining Landscape of Cornwall and West Devon no 1215.

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March 19th, 2018

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