I have just ordered a copy of Frederick Foot's drawing of Silverbrook Lead Mine as shown in Industrial Archeology of Dartmoor (Helen Harris) p. 36. The image in the book omits an inch or two all round plus much detail including about 9 bal maidens, and a cart plus two men exteme centre right. I am finding it difficult to follow the sequence of dressing events from the picture. Lead doles appear to end up behind picking + cobbing shed (?) centre L in front of smithy + counthouse? Ragging + spalling appears to take place in front of the winding shaft retaining wall. What puzzles me is the gradient tramway in front of picture, plus waggons tipping out to doles straight from below ground? Or have these waggons been brought the long way around from the dressing floor (complete loop not visible in picture)? Assume some sort of driving rods running out to shed? Or is it a launder? This picture is the only contemporary drawing (or photograph) I have found of the lead dressing process in the south west, unless anyone else knows better. I would be grateful for any help. (Original with Torquay Museum)
Thanks.
Lynne Mayers
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