| Crazywell Pool | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Crazywell Pool | |
| Location | Princetown, Devon |
| Coordinates | 50°31′01″N 4°00′05″W / 50.51706°N 4.00150°W |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Surface area | 3,500 m2 (0.86 acres) |
| Max. depth | 16 ft (4.9 m) |
Crazywell Pool or Crazy Well Pool[1] is a large pond situated about 3 km (1.9 mi) south of Princetown just off the path between Burrator and Whiteworks on the western side of Dartmoor, Devon, England at grid reference SX582705. It is about 100 metres (110 yd) long and has a surface area of about 3,500 square metres (0.86 acres).
The pool is thought to be the result of excavations by tin miners,[2] and is either a flooded mine shaft, or a reservoir. The presence of tin workings downhill from the pool support this view. The valley of Newleycombe Lake has been extensively worked with many mining remains along its short length. The level of the pool never varies much from its mean—it is maintained by a hidden spring and by subterranean drainage at its lower end.[2] Near to the pool is Crazywell Cross, one of the line of crosses that marked the ancient track between Buckfast Abbey and Tavistock Abbey.
In 1998, Nathaniel Burton, a sixteen-year-old recruit in the Royal Marines, died in Crazywell Pool. He was taking part in a routine training exercise and drowned while crossing the icy waters of the pool.[3][4]
- ^ Also known as Clazywell, Classenwell or Classiwell Pool, according to Hemery (see below).
- ^ a b Eric Hemery (1983). High Dartmoor. London: Robert Hale. pp. 136–137. ISBN 0-7091-8859-5.
- ^ Pharo, Chris (16 October 1998). "Marine lad of 16 dies in tragedy on moor". The Sun (London, England). p. 9.. (Subscription required for online access)
- ^ Woodward, Tim (31 March 1999). "Marines are not to blame for death of my son, says mother". The Daily Mail, (London, England).. (Subscription required for online access)