Dartmoor's Past Tin Industry
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There is a long history of extracting tin from Dartmoor. The earliest form of extraction was by streaming - taking alluvial tin from the stream and river beds. The first written record of tin streaming dates back to the 12th century. Evidence of these early workings can be seen in most river valleys as heaps of rubble and waste which, in many cases, have become overgrown by grasses and bilberries.
The next process was a form of open-cast mining: working on the backs of the lodes (a naturally occurring band (vein) of ore). This method was frequently assisted by using water directed over the desired area to remove the lighter waste. Tin thus obtained - black or unsmelted tin - was then converted to white tin by smelting.
Early smelting was very crude until the advent of the blowing house, probably first used in the 14th century. Deep mining was probably not practised until the early 18th century. Early mines had to be relatively shallow because of flooding. The use of drainage adits was one method of dealing with the flooding problem. Later on, pumping became the accepted method. Waterwheels were frequently used to operate the pumps as were steam engines. Although no waterwheels remain on high Dartmoor, evidence of their use can be seen in the wheelpits that can still be found at various sites.
Tin mining continued at certain sites well into the 20th century and there are people still alive who can remember going underground to work these mines.
Other publications (not available
on-line):
- The Industrial Archaeology of Dartmoor - Helen Harris (1992) Peninsula Press.
This publication may be photocopied for educational purposes under the Copyright Act 1988.
© Dartmoor National Park Authority 2004
