Wheel Pit at Froggatt Wood Smelt Mill, Longshaw Estate

Record ID:  60221*2 / MNA113376
Record type:  Monument
Protected Status: Scheduled Monument
NT Property:  Longshaw Estate; Midlands
Civil Parish:  Froggatt; Derbyshire Dales; Derbyshire
Grid Reference:  SK 24762 77243
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Summary

The back of the pit is recessed into the wall which supports the hillside at the E end of the smelting house.

Identification Images (2)

Wheel Pit at Froggatt Wood Smelt Mill, Longshaw Estate © National TrustWheel Pit at Froggatt Wood Smelt Mill, Longshaw Estate © National Trust
Wheel Pit at Froggatt Wood Smelt Mill, Longshaw Estate © National TrustWheel Pit at Froggatt Wood Smelt Mill, Longshaw Estate © National Trust

Monument Types

  • WHEEL PIT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Description

The wheel pit is difficult to interpret in detail. The back of the pit is recessed into the wall which supports the hillside at the E end of the smelting house. What can be seen of the profile of this recess suggests that the wheel-spindle was placed well below the surface of the rubble which covers the pit area. There is a slot through which water descends from the head race, and the position of this aperture suggests that a pitch-back wheel was used. The plan of the wheel pit cannot be established with the site in its present condition. In the first place, quantities of rubble not only fill the pit, but spread to either side. Secondly, a roughly-built enclosure, which occupies the E end of the smelting house and which appears to post-date the E-end wall, may well cross the line of the wheel pit and be built on the rubble filling.

References

None Recorded

Designations

Other Statuses and References

  • HER/SMR Reference (External): 5907

Associated Events

  • ENA1030 - Field Survey, Survey and re-photographing of Froggatt Wood Ore-hearth and Lead Smelter, Longshaw Estate

Associated Finds

None Recorded

Related Records