BIG GUN BATTERY

LYREBIRD GULLY ROAD HARRIETVILLE, ALPINE SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    BIG GUN BATTERY - History

    Contextual History:History of Place:
    Heritage Inventory History of Site:
    The Big Gun Reef was discovered in 1896 and traced for 1000 ft on the southern slope of Guns Creek gully, with a second reef running parallel. The Big Gun Extended, discovered soon after, extended up the north spur to an elevation of 4000 ft. The New Options Co. bought the reefs from their discoverers. Trial crushings from these two and the neighbouring Cannon and Little Gun reefs gave rich yields, and a tramway was constructed to the New Options Co.'s Crescent battery. Work appears to have focused on the Big Gun Extended mine, which was still yielding strongly at the turn of the century.
    After the New Options Co. closed down in 1904, the Big Gun Reef was taken up by a party who installed a battery there in 1907. The venture appears to have been unsuccessful, with no gold production recorded from the mine. The Big Gun Extended was reworked between 1915-17 and a battery installed, crushing 355 tons for an average return of 1 oz per ton.
    
    

    Interpretation of Site

    BIG GUN BATTERY - Interpretation of Site

    Heritage Inventory Interpretation:

    Heritage Inventory Description

    BIG GUN BATTERY - Heritage Inventory Description

    /nFeatures of the Big Gun battery site are a battery, Pelton wheel, tramway, and hut.

    Heritage Inventory Significance: The sites have scientific value because of the rarity and intactness of the site.

    Heritage Inventory Key Components: Battery - Light 4-head stamps manufactured by Langlands. Pelton wheel - The Pelton wheel still rests on its wooden footings and the water pipe-line is still in position. Tramway - Inclined tramway with one truck (still with braking mechanism). Hut - Roof is gone, but the walls are standing and there are still pots and pans on the table. Heritage Inventory Site Features:

    Archeological Potential:

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  • GUN REEF GOLD BATTERY SITES

    

    Victorian Heritage Register H1301
  • BIG GUN EXTENDED

    

    Victorian Heritage Inventory
  • CENTENARY BATTERY SITE

    

    Victorian Heritage Inventory
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