|
![](gfx01/800spacerclear.gif)
[Pic 4] Ratgoed Slate Quarry - Middle Mill (Sept 1987)
![](gfx01/800spacerclear.gif) Strangely for a quarry of this size (Ratgoed could by no means be termed large) there was at various times 3 mills - the 'Upper' mill* was on level 6, then close to the
main exit incline head (on level 8) was the 'middle' mill (see Pic 4 above) and down on the valley floor was the (appropriately named) 'Lower' mill - which stood close to the foot of the
main exit incline amongst a small group of buildings, all of which are derelict and roofless. When 'Middle' mill, the newest of the 3, was built an adit had opened just a few yards to its
south (connected by a tramway along a short shelf) and this was the outlet for 2 shafts down from the level 7 underground workings. This adit contained no workings of its own and was, at
least latterly, the sole exit route for level 7 produce after it became marooned by waste from above.
![](gfx01/800spacerclear.gif)
Middle Mill was the last mill to be used and probably ended with power from an internal combustion engine - the base for which still remains. At various stages all three mills used Pelton
wheel power and this mill has an unusual pit for housing one. Like a lot of quarry buildings built on waste land this one has a small buttress to contain a bit of wall subsidance ! Just to
the right (off camera) is the foot of the next incline up and a short distance south is the level 8 adit site.
![](gfx01/800spacerclear.gif) * There are few remains of this mill. | |