Allenheads Lead Smelt Mill and flue (Allendale)
Lead smelting mill built by the Blacketts in the early 18th century and by 1821 had three ore hearths, one roasting furnace and one slag hearth in operation. The mill closed in 1870. Surviving remains consist of a 3424ft long flue, a row of deserted cottages and an overgrown reservoir (see NY 84 NE 52 and 55). (1)
The mill was mainly for smelted ores for Allenheads and Coalcleugh mines, but was kept to working capacity by ores from Weardale mines. (2)
The mill closed in 1870. It had horizontal flues 3410 yards (3118m) long for carrying off the fumes. (3)
Allenheads Lead Smelt Mill and flue. (4)
Allenheads Smelt Mill was located close to the various mines of Allenheads and Coalcleugh and also served the Killhope valley in upper Weardale (via the old pony route called the Carrier's Way). It was first built by the Blacketts in the 1690s and worked until 1870 when the larger, more efficient Allen Mill at Allendale superseded it. The mill was sited a mile north of Allenheads to reduce the likelihood of harmful fumes. Originally it it may have had a vertical chimney on site but a 'horizontal' flue was introduced which stretched two miles south-west to a vertical chimney outlet.
The relative location of the five components can still be seen: the smelters' dwellings, mill building and large peat store. Behind the latter, part of an embanked dam with a feeder race from the left and the double hump of the subsided underground flue complete the picture.
The flue was stone-arched all the way and climbed 250 metres to an altitude of 630m. A good deal of this system is still intact but the chimney has been demolished. The roasting and ore hearths were housed in the (modified) ruins at the base of the flues. Water to power the bellows for blasting air required a storage reservoir, the dry remain of which are adjacent to the mill. Peat and coal, whenever available, were used for heating the furnaces. The large stone building was the peat store before passing into general agricultural use. The ore hearths were dumped alongside the East Allen river forming slag tips. (5)
Additional reference (6a)
The mill was mainly for smelted ores for Allenheads and Coalcleugh mines, but was kept to working capacity by ores from Weardale mines. (2)
The mill closed in 1870. It had horizontal flues 3410 yards (3118m) long for carrying off the fumes. (3)
Allenheads Lead Smelt Mill and flue. (4)
Allenheads Smelt Mill was located close to the various mines of Allenheads and Coalcleugh and also served the Killhope valley in upper Weardale (via the old pony route called the Carrier's Way). It was first built by the Blacketts in the 1690s and worked until 1870 when the larger, more efficient Allen Mill at Allendale superseded it. The mill was sited a mile north of Allenheads to reduce the likelihood of harmful fumes. Originally it it may have had a vertical chimney on site but a 'horizontal' flue was introduced which stretched two miles south-west to a vertical chimney outlet.
The relative location of the five components can still be seen: the smelters' dwellings, mill building and large peat store. Behind the latter, part of an embanked dam with a feeder race from the left and the double hump of the subsided underground flue complete the picture.
The flue was stone-arched all the way and climbed 250 metres to an altitude of 630m. A good deal of this system is still intact but the chimney has been demolished. The roasting and ore hearths were housed in the (modified) ruins at the base of the flues. Water to power the bellows for blasting air required a storage reservoir, the dry remain of which are adjacent to the mill. Peat and coal, whenever available, were used for heating the furnaces. The large stone building was the peat store before passing into general agricultural use. The ore hearths were dumped alongside the East Allen river forming slag tips. (5)
Additional reference (6a)
N7251
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