Summary
Just above Farey's Stage is the top of the Grand Pipe, also known as Bill's Shaft, where traditionally the graphite was first discovered after a storm uprooted an ash tree growing there.
Identification Images (0)
Monument Types
- SPOIL HEAP (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
- GRAPHITE MINE (Late 16th C to Late 19th C - 1594 AD to 1900 AD)
Description
Just above Farey's Stage is the top of the Grand Pipe, also known as Bill's Shaft, where traditionally the graphite was first discovered after a storm uprooted an ash tree growing there. The first definite reference to it being worked is in 1594, later than the Upper Wadhole. The hole at the top of the pipe is an irregular shape, approximately 8m by 3m at its widest points. Directly below it is a small spoilheap, the top of which is about 7m wide. On the western side of this is what appears to be the remains of a separate smaller spoilheap, on top of which is a roughly rectangular depression 4.2m by 2.6m and 0.4m deep. It is possible that this is where winding gear stood before the Grand Pipe could be accessed from the Old Men's Level (Lax, A. 1995).
References
- SNA61977 - Unpublished document: Oxford Archaeology North. 2007. Historic Landscape Survey of Borrowdale, Cumbria.
Other Statuses and References
None Recorded
Associated Events
- ENA4020 - Field Survey, Historic Landscape Survey of Borrowdale, Cumbria
Associated Finds
None Recorded
Related Records
- Related to: Graphite (Wad) Mine on Seathwaite Farm, Borrowdale (Monument) - 20118 / MNA119961