Week Ford Blowing House, near Dartmeet.
N 50° 32.129 W 003° 53.387
30U E 436943 N 5598548
The ruin of a blowing house near the River Dart.
Waymark Code: WM3PYA
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/02/2008
Views: 4
A Blowing House is a water powered mill where tin ore was crushed and smelted.
A small waterwheel powered stamping machinery, for crushing tin ore to a fine sand, and also powered bellows for providing a forced draught for a smelting furnace. Water for the wheel was brought in a leat taken from the river further up stream.
After smelting, ingots of tin metal usually weighing between 100-200 lb were taken to one of the four 'coinage' towns of Chagford, Ashburton, Plympton and Tavistock.
There are two ruined buildings and many artefacts to be seen, mould stones, numerous mortar stones wheel pit etc.
Ordnance Survey map reference (10 figure) if within DNP – If outside the Park, add N/A: Not listed
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