Debdon Sawmill And Attached Wall To South West

CARTINGTON B 6341 NU 0602 NU 065028 (West side, off) 23/2 Debdon Sawmill and attached wall to south-west II*

Powerhouse and sawmill, third quarter of C19. Snecked rock-faced stone with some cut dressings; red clay tile roof. H-plan, single-storeyed except for west part of south wing. West elevation in 3 parts; gable end of north wing on left has 3-light mullioned window above round arch for head goit; recessed centre has doorway and blocked window; gable end of south wing on right has boarded door under timber lintel, with 2-light mullioned window above; on left return is altered 3-light window with 2 cross windows above. To far right is attached retaining wall for approach ramp on south, with heavy flat coping stepping down to right. South elevation in 2 parts: left part has boarded double doors in shouldered arch with timber lintel, under gablet with shaped loop; stepped-and-banded ridge stack to right: lower right part largely concealed by approach ramp.

Interior: In north wing is Thompson double vortex turbine by Williamsons of Kendal (with maker's plate).

Historical Note: In 1881 Lord Armstrong coupled the turbine to a Siemens horizontal generator to produce the first hydro-electric power source in the world; this lit the first arc lamps in Armstrong's museum at Cragside, and later Joseph Swan's newly-invented incandescent lamps.

Listed and graded for historic importance.

Adjacent sheds with corrugated iron roofs are not of interest.

Listing NGR: NU0649402812