Dad took this photo and one other in the early 90's and annotated it as Tynehead Smelt Mill.

[photo]115902[/photo]

The line of tips and levels corresponds well with the 1859 25 inch OS Map (below, sorry the quality is poor) and the trackway may follow the flue but that's a bit speculative.

🔗115893[linkphoto]115893[/linkphoto][/link]

The smelt mill is on the NMRS list but with no other information other than a rough date range and a GR. The only other photos I found so far relate to the bridge at the site (pics dated 2006) but with little other info. except a slightly dismissive comment about a sheep shelter.

The OS map suggests it was quite a large site with a range of 7 related buildings as well as the hearth(s) and flue leading to a chimney. Current OS mapping and aerial image seems to correlate complete with dog leg in the road and the patch of exposed rock (limestone pavement or whinsill outcrop?) and large modern shed.

The site doesn't seem to be listed on AditNow, so I will add it if anyone can add some confirmation about the location and if there is any other information. Nigel Chapman wrote a piece about the Tynehead Lead Mining Company (BM 43) and a crushing mill about a mile north towards Garrigill but made no reference to the smelt mill.

I plan to plod over there and have a meander in the next few weeks but if anyone can add any insights that would be nice:)

Jim

Jim - I have added the location to the index, and added a scanned image. P

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Thanks Pete,

I've added what little bit of info I've gleaned on to one of the pics.

Is the "hole" in the back wall the entrance to the flue?

Jim

It may well be.....

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Looks like the track does follow the flue and this may be the flue chimney position.

https://zoom.earth/#54.726018,-2.3737,17z,map 

Looks like the track does follow the flue and this may be the flue chimney position.

https://zoom.earth/#54.726018,-2.3737,17z,map 

The flue line was part of the reason why I thought I would go for a wander around the site and to also see if anything of the possible flue entrance on Pete's 1970 pic is still there.

Another curiosity is the area just west of the new shed which looks remarkably like a spoil tip on the aerial image but not shown on either the 1859 25" or 6" OS map and still missing on the 1898 6" OS map by which time the site was described as a sheep fold rather implying the mill had been demolished by then. The tip, if that's what it is, might be smelt mill waste rather than mine waste.

Jim

The 1861-1895 mapping at 1:2500 scale shows a level and a less developed embankment

https://zoom.earth/#54.729417,-2.378948,19z,map 

Edit: Cross is on an apparent fall, the level entrance being a little further east..

The 1861-1895 mapping at 1:2500 scale shows a level and a less developed embankment

https://zoom.earth/#54.729417,-2.378948,19z,map 

Edit: Cross is on an apparent fall, the level entrance being a little further east..

Hi Morlock,

I should have been a bit more precise

https://zoom.earth/#54.72824,-2.377006,17z,map 

The bit I was mumbling about is south and east of your point, I hope I've shown it on the link above, but I'll have a look at the place you indicated.

Jim

Ahh, the shadowing seems to indicate a depression rather than a tip? I'll get back to the maps.

Ahh, the shadowing seems to indicate a depression rather than a tip? I'll get back to the maps.

I agree, that's why I think it's worth a look as it seems quite a big hole, perhaps a bit of opencast?

Jim

Ahh, the shadowing seems to indicate a depression rather than a tip? I'll get back to the maps.

I agree, that's why I think it's worth a look as it seems quite a big hole, perhaps a bit of opencast?

Jim

Does not seem to be on any mapping and tramways website has no clues regarding any rail layout.

The chimney for the smelt mill is at NY 76278 36583 with only the foundations remaining. There are a few small workings to the east of the flue. There is no evidence for any rails at any of the mines in the valley. The area to the east is I think the remains of a large landslip from the 1990s.

Thanks for added info.

Link for finding NGR easily.

http://gridreferencefinder.com/ 

Copy/paste and remove spaces

[photo]115923[/photo]

Added another piece of info. The image is in the historic images folder.

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Looks interesting Pete,

Thomas Sopwith mentions the Whinsill exposure near the smeltmill, allegedly unique along the Tyne?

Unless the weather is lying about tomorrow I think I will drive over and have a meander about the site and see what is still in evidence and also nip up and see the chimney foundations that Brooks gives the GR for.

The tip like shape on Zoom Earth is nothing like as obvious on the OS aerial imaging, but I've noticed similar shadow changes elsewhere on such images by source and overtime.

As regards the big hole Morlock highlighted (just south and east of Cocklake) and Brooks suggests maybe a 1990's landslip, it does seem to be on the 1898 6 in OS map.

https://maps.nls.uk/view/101091892 

Although no sign of a tip by the smelt mill/sheepfold.

Jim

Yes - Whin sill exposure downstream, and Cleveland Dyke upstream from the Mill.
Allenscleugh Low level NY 7590.3690 (1973) Open
Middle Level NY7650 3635 ditto Open
High Level NY 7674.3610 ditto roof fall at 3metres
Shield meadow High Level NY 7603.3692 Collapsed
Low Level NY7601.3696 Blocked at 6 metres.

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Thanks Pete,

I've scribbled over my map and will go and see what's about, if time allows I may trot along to Calvert as Dad took a few of the mine shop (1990's again) in a bit better nick than sparty_lea's pic and Dosey to see what's left of the dig (after 40ish years) if anything.

Jim

Looking forward to an image update.:)

Update. Found a few images from the bridge area.

http://www.bridgesonthetyne.co.uk/mill.html 

Hi Morlock,

Yes that's the site that was a little sniffy about the remains.

I've been for my stroll, the shape you first highlighted on zoomearth is a spoil tip, Brooks correctly said what I thought might have been a spoil tip is a large landslip in the bend in the river.

I'll look at the photos I took today and if they are clear enough I attached to the various sites on AditNow, to be honest it was a bit dull and cool at Tynehead and I got home a few minutes ago and it's bright sun and pleasantly warm. That's the price that has to be paid;(

Edit:

As a ps I've just looked at the landslip in OS' 3D aerial rotation and it's quite a large chunk of land that's gone, perhaps a bog burst? probably quite dramatic to have seen.

Jim