The Gunpowder Magazine, Robinson'S Shaft

CARN BREA

1535/0/10039 POOL 27-MAR-08 The Gunpowder Magazine, Robinson's Shaft

II Gunpowder magazine. C19 MATERIALS: Granite rubble

DESCRIPTION: The building comprises a circular powder magazine enclosed within an encircling blast wall. Both walls are constructed of uncoursed granite rubble, originally flush pointed with cement and both have west facing entrances. The blast wall stands up to 2m high and the opening has half-height granite door jambs and fittings for a small gate. The magazine wall stands up to 1.8m high and is unroofed.

HISTORY: The South Crofty gunpowder magazine dates from the 1860s and was constructed to serve Palmer's and Bickford's shafts situated 250m to the east. For safety reasons, the magazine would have ceased being used in 1900 when the adjacent Robinson's shaft was established. The building is likely to have continued as a store for the new working and the roof was not removed until the early 1990s.

SUMMARY OF IMPORTANCE: Despite loss of its roof, this gunpowder magazine at Robinson's Shaft survives relatively well. It is unusual both for its large size and in its plan being circular with a circular blast wall rather than taking the more usual rectangular form. Most significantly, it sits within an internationally important historic industrial landscape recognised through its designation as a World Heritage Site and is part of the nationally significant Robinson's Shaft mining complex.

NGR:- SW6670941306