In the spring of 2006 the National Trust commissioned a Historic Landscape Survey of the Whitehaven Coast area from Mr David Cranstone, one of the leading Industrial Archaeologists in the country.
The full version of the report is now available and can be viewed on the website Click here for the full Archaeological Survey.
The main findings of the survey were:
The area retains a remarkable wealth of historical records for the Medieval and later periods, especially for the 17th-19th century industrial activities.
There is very little positive evidence for Prehistoric, Roman-British, or Early Medieval settlement within the area; this may well reflect lack of research and poor field conditions for site- and artefact-recovery, rather than any genuine absence. Its higher parts (especially the St Bees Sandstone crest) appear to offer suitable locations for coastal forts or signal stations; (however) no Roman military activity is yet known.
By the 13th century, St Bees Priory had coal mines and coal-fuelled saltworks within or adjacent to the project area. This very early use of coal in saltmaking is nationally important, both for the 'direct-boiling' process of saltmaking, and for the early development of coal-fuelled industry in general. Field evidence has yet to be located; the historical evidence suggests the Saltom Pit area.
The area contains the upstanding remains of four nationally important collieries:
Saltom Pit.
An 18th century development of outstanding importance, marking the first undersea coal-mining in England, with an early use of the Newcomen engine.
Wellington Pit.
A major development of c 1840; surviving features include the monumental 'Candlestick' chimney, gate lodge, coal-handling features, and castellated revetment walls above the harbour.
Duke Pit.
Although this pit was sunk in the mid 18th century, the main survival is the 1860s Guibal fan house, seemingly incorporating parts of an earlier 1840s fan house (a pioneering example).
Haig Pit.
This forms one of the finest survivals in England of an early 20th century colliery, retaining one of its winding engines within a composite engine house and power hall.
The collieries were served by a complex sequence of waggonways, inclines, and railways, substantial elements of which survive either within the study area or along the east side of the Howgill ridge. This system forms a remarkable illustration of the development of railway technology, over nearly three centuries.
Along the south side of Whitehaven Harbour, coal was conveyed from the waggonways to ships by a complex group of staithes. These may form the best national survival of the landward elements of a staithe system, complementing the timber marine features that survive at locations such as Dunston Staithes (Gateshead) and Blyth (Northumberland).
The south side of Whitehaven Harbour was defended by a series of 17th to early 19th century fortifications, of which the 18th century Old Fort survives as a Scheduled Monument; the 19th century Bowling Green Fort also survives. The 18th century forts saw action in the John Paul Jones raid during the American War of Independence.
The harbour itself forms a multi-period monument of considerable importance.
A late phase of the mining and railway history of the area is formed by Barrowmouth alabaster/gypsum mine. Although mining (originally for alabaster, as a monumental stone) can be traced historically from the early 18th century, the major field remains are from mid- to late-19th century gypsum mining, and are Scheduled as one of the best national survivals of a gypsum mine. Field remains include an impressive railway incline, pump and powder houses, and associated housing (including a small mid 19th century museum).
The broader landscape of the project area is of exceptional interest. The south end, which lay within Sandwith township, forms a fine example of 'ancient countryside', incorporating enclosed strip fields and large ring-fenced intakes, and forming part of the St Bees Priory monastic estates.
