Portal Of Barratts Incline

The Portal of Barratt's Incline is a tunnel portal dated 1828, designed by Captain Barratt for the Grassington lead mines. It is constructed from edge-tooled ashlar blocks and features a narrow opening that is approximately 3 metres wide and 3 metres high, framed by well-cut voussoirs and a slightly projecting narrower keystone. Above the opening is a projecting band with three massive parapet coping stones, the central stone displaying a smoothly-tooled panel with the incised date "1828". Captain Barratt served as the local agent and engineer overseeing lead mining operations from 1818, during a time of significant reorganization in the mines. He implemented advanced techniques for ore dressing and developed an early version of the mechanical jig. The incline was part of a 20 fathom network and facilitated the use of ponies to transport ore from the mine. The entire project was completed in 1833.