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DART RIVER BATTERY

Location

SIPTHORPES TRACK AND LITTLE DART RIVER CORRYONG, TOWONG SHIRE

File Number

PL-HE/01/0011

Level

Heritage Inventory Site

Statement of Significance

The Dart River Gold Battery Site consists of a multi-tubular steam boiler, horizontal engine and a collapsed five head timber framed stamping battery in a rugged and remote bush setting. The battery, boiler and engine are remnants of a handful of ore crushing sites which originally served the quartz mine workings of the Dart River.

The Dart River Gold Battery Site is of historical, scientific and archaeological importance to the State of Victoria.

The Dart River Gold Battery Site is historically and scientifically important as a characteristic example of an important form of gold mining. Gold mining sites are of crucial importance for the pivotal role they have played since 1851 in the development of Victoria. As well as being a significant producer of Victoria's nineteenth century wealth, with its intensive use of machinery, played an important role in the development of Victorian manufacturing industry. The abandoned mining machinery at the Dart River is historically important for its evocation of the adventurousness, hardship and isolation that was part of mining life in the high country areas of the State.

The Dart River Gold Battery Site is archaeologically important for its potential to yield artefacts and evidence which will be able to provide significant information about the technological history of gold mining.

[Source: Victorian Heritage Register]

Group