Drake's Leat

It was then that Robert Lampen of St Budeaux was paid 52s 5d (£2.62) to undertake a survey and the route of the leat was confirmed.

Drake proposed an additional clause stating that mills could be erected and operated on the banks of the leat.

The town was authorized: "... to digge and myne a Diche or Trenche conteynenge in Bredthe betwene sixe or seaven ffoote over in all Places throughe and over all the Lands and Grounds lyeing betweene the saide Towne of Plymmowth and anye parte of the saide Ryver Mewe als Mevye, and to digge, myne, breake, bancke and caste vpp, all and all maner of Rockes Stones Gravell Sande and all other Letts in anye places or Groundes for the conveyant or necessarie Conveyange of the same River to the saide Towne ..." Due to lack of funding caused by the war with Spain and the Armada, construction was not started until 1590 and completed in 1591.

A legend records that at its opening Drake rode a white horse ahead of the water all the way to Plymouth.

Some of the excess water was made available free to the public, via 27 conduits spread around the town, after it had driven the mill wheels but by 1600 only 30 wealthier homes had been directly connected.

[6] Harsh winters and a general decline in the condition of the leat brought the feasibility of its continued existence into question.