The Rear of Grinton How Smelt Mill

Stone building showing collapsed 1.5m high arched tunnel entering just under roof height, a small square hole just under the eves with a rotting wooden channel emerging and a doorway at ground level. The rear of the smelt mill clearly shows the arched flue exit from the building where fumes were drawn up the hill. The flue walls were periodically scraped by boys to remove condensed lead and return it to the smelting hearth. The square hole on the upper right is where the water entered the building to drive the water wheel. Water was carried by wooden channels (called leats) from the dam further upstream. Angles were carefully calculated to ensure there was a constant gravity fed water supply at roof level.