Southport Visiter, 24th Sept 1852
Cotton manufacture
The question of the increase in cotton manufacturers may not be uninteresting in connection with the present prosperity of the trade, and a few facts serving to indicate the extension of it will not be misplaced.
According to Leonard HORNER, no less than 81 new factories had been built up or set up in the course of last year [up to Oct 31st] in the district of which Manchester is the capital, employing steam-power equal to 2240hp, besides the enlargement of mills in the same period up to the extent of 1477hp.
The total increase of steam-power in that year was equal to 3717hp calculated to give employment to 14,000 additional workpeople.
At Blackburn
One building by Mr Thomas DUGDALE estimated to cost £100,000
Mr John FISH is building a mill for spinning of about 60hp
Messers THWAITES and ASHBURN are erecting another
Mr BRIGGS has recently completed one
Mr LEWIS is erecting a shed for weaving
Messers NOBLE and WALMSLEY a mill for 300 looms
At Great Howard
Mr L. CATTERALL is building a large spinning mill
There is also a large weaving shed being erected there for a manufacturer
At Chorley
Messers RICE and HILL are erecting a weaving shed, with 600 looms for the production of coloured goods
Messers LIGHTHOLDER and WOOD are erecting a magnificent mill for spinning consisting of 5 storeys, 216ft by 120ft, which will receive 60,000 spindles, with steam-power of 120hp
Mr R. SMETHURST is building a weaving shed with 500 looms
At Westhoughton
Mr J. CHADWICK is erecting a large silk mill
At Kirkham
Messers RICHARDS and WHALLEY are building a large cotton mill with 30,000 spindles and engines of 70hp
At Croston
Mr MELLOR is erecting a weaving shed with 300 looms
At Wigan
A new cotton mill built for the Hon Mr LINDSAY, but sold to other parties, is an exceedingly extensive concern for spinning and weaving of about 60hp
At Ratcliffe
Messers MILNE and PICKSTONES are erecting a mill for spinning and weaving of 60hp
Mr R. BOOTH a mill for manufacturing only
Messers PILKINGTON and sons a mill for spinning and weaving of 40hp
At Whitefield
Mr John TAYLOR is erecting a new mill for manufacturing only with engines of 12hp high pressure
At Farnworth nr Bolton
Mr WITHAM is erecting a fine new mill for spinning of 60/80hp
Messers BRIMELOW a weaving shed for 80 looms
Messers J. RIVETT and Co, a weaving shed for 80 looms
Messers S and W. HURST a weaving shed for 200 looms
Messers TOPP and HINDLEY are extending their present works at Farnworth to include 200 additional looms with spinning power of 150/200hp
At Ramsbottom
A handsome new building of stone has been erected by Messers PORRIT Brothers and Austin for spinning
At Rochdale
Messers RATCLIFFE are erecting mills for spinning and weaving and will cover 3 acres of ground of 200hp
At Lees
Mr HALLIWELL is building a mill of 20/30hp
Mr ANDREW a weaving shed of 30/40hp
Mr Isaac SEVILLE a weaving shed of 20/30hp
Messers SCHOFIELD and FIELDING a new spinning mill of 20/30hp
At Mossley
Messers MAYALL are making great extensions to their spinning mills equal to 200hp
At Hurst
Messers John WHITTAKER and Co are extending their mills to 800 looms and spindles of 2000 about 300hp
At Ashton
Mr MASON is building a large spinning mill of 50/60hp
Messers LEESE and KNOTT a second for spinning and weaving
Messers CHADWICK a third
Messers RAYNER a fourth for spinning and manufacturing of 120hp
At Staleybridge
Messers William BAYLEY and Bros are building an extensive new mill
Mr ADSHEAD is erecting a spinning mill
At Glossop
Mr William PLATT is covering in a new mill
Messers John WOOD and Brother, another
Mr F. SUMNER a third
These are in addition to two other extensive mills already worked at Glossop by these gentlemen, and will probably average 100hp each
Two new mills are erecting at Mottram and one at Tintwistle
At Stockport
Messers KERSHAW LEESE and Co are erecting a new shed for 200 looms [wide ones] in addition to their present extensive mills
The mill worked by the late Jesse HOWARD which for some time has been standing idle is refitting with new machinery for Messers Thomas THORNLEY and Co
At Hulme
A new mill is rising intended for cotton spinning at about 80hp and 40,000 spindles
At Blackley
Messers WOLSTENCROFT are building a new mill for spinning of 40hp
At Oldham
Mr ROBINSON is erecting a new mill
Mr J. JONES is enlarging a present one
At Hollinwood
Messers LEES are erecting a large new cotton mill
At Accrington
A new mill is being erected with 10,000 spindles and 200 looms
At Swinton
Mr John GIBBS has taken a small mill and is enlarging it to 120hp
At Adlington
Mr J. GERARD is building a large spinning mill
At Cuxton
Messers SMALLEY and Co are building a mill
At Preston
Mr CALVERT is building a large new spinning mill
Messers PALEY and Co building a new mill for 30,000 spindles
At Tyldesley
Mr Thomas CLEGG is erecting a new mill for spinning and doubling and adding 70hp to his present works
Messers BURTON are erecting a mill for spinning and manufacturing of 80hp
Mr R. KAY is extending his present works
Large as some of the above named establishments are they shrink into insignificance beside one being built near Bradford for the alpaca manufacturers which have recently sprung into repute, as well as for cotton.
The magnitude of the concern erected for Mr Titus SALT [already an extensive manufacturer] is calculated to cover 6 statute acres of ground. The principal building will be a massive stone edifice, with considerable architectural pretention, having a single room in it 540ft long and the machinery in it will be the latest inventions of acknowledged merit.
The engines to move the immense mass of machinery are being made by Messers FAIRBURN of Manchester and are calculated at 1200hp. The gasworks will equal those of a small town and will be erected upon WHITE'S Hydro-carbon system at a cost of £4,000, it is estimated 5,000 lights will be required and the gasworks constructed to supply 100,000 cubit ft of gas per diom. Mr SALT is building 700 cottages for the workpeople in its immediate neighbourhood.
The site is at Salt-Aire on one of the banks of the river Aire, and will be approached by tubular bridge over the river, also of elegant construction, spoken of as costing upwards of half a million sterling.
It is said a cotton mill is in contemplation at Bolton, of nearly, if not equal magnitude.
Messers FOX and Bros and Co are erecting a large cotton mill at Wellington, Somersetshire and Messers J and A. KENNEDY a new cotton mill at Belfast
Copyright 2002 / To date