Phil wrote:

>Does anyone know of examples of winding in shafts being powered by
waterwheels, c.19th century?   If so, I was wondering  what in the way
of equipment would be associated at both the waterwheel end and at the
shafthead (ie would it differ from that of steam whim) and what remains
should I expect to find?<

I don't know if the following is any help? I have taken it from Issue 12/2005 of CMSMRPS Journal:

In respect of an advertisement found in that worthy

periodical, The Woolmers Gazette. Dated 26th of October 1816.

 

Combe Martin Mines, CombeMartin 

Water Wheel For Sale

To be Sold, capital twenty-feet Water Wheel, 3 - feet in the breast, nearly new, with cast iron caps at the end of the axel, gudgeons and cranks.

For further particulars apply, to Mr Benjamin Smith, Combmartin Mines near Ilfracombe.

 

 

The West Briton. On the 21st of June 1816 Advertise

 

 

Mining Materials for sale

To be sold by auction on Wednesday the 26th day of June 1816. The under mentioned mining Materials at Combmartin mine near Ilfracombe, Devon.Viz.

10 - fathoms of 9 inch pumps

One 5 inch           working barrel,               9 ft long

One 6 inch                       ditto                     ditto                  Iron

One 9 inch           windbore

One clack piece and door

7 fathoms of 9 inch pumps

1 clack piece and windbore                                             Wooden

 

With Lead rings and bolts buckets and clacks, a 20 feet water wheel, 3 ? feet in the breast, with 50 fathoms of iron flat rods, four whims complete,10 and 12 feet cages, a capstan and shears whim and capstan ropes and pullies, about 20 fathoms of connexion rods, 3 tons of iron various sorts, a quantity of steel, miners blacksmiths and carpenters tools, deals, whip and cross cut saws, plank, timber, ladders, a boat and sails, and sundry other articles.

 

The whole of which may be viewed on the mine, until the time of sale.

There is a harbour at Combmartin were the things may be shipped at a trifling expense,

Combe Martin June 5, 1816.


This wheel was certainly used for about 3 years to pump Directors shaft using the 50 fathoms of flat rods. Looking at the items for sale one can surmise that it was also used with the whims.

My research has suggested that prior to being used for pumping and winding purpose, the mill was originally a fulling mill - two fields named Rack Park adjacent. (There are no records of this mill, but we know there was a cottage weaving industry in the village) We have now traced the leat which was very substantial - cut into rock and clay lined. It looks as though the mill was converted specifically for pumping and winding - hence the purchase of a new iron water wheel, but within 3 years plans were afoot to replace it with a Cornish engine which of course is what happened. The mill then became the blacksmith shop for the new enterprise.

We have recently commenced excavating through the leat to obtain section stratigraphy and also the mill pond. Excavations last year revealed considerable quantities of early medieval pottery, including a sherd of Seville Creuda Secca ware (1500-1550), which of course is quite rare in this country.

Hope this is helpful,

Kindest regards,

Trevor

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