So this was my second attempt at Tonedale after being busted early into my first visit.
My main objective was to get into the 5 story worsted spinning building known as mills 2 and 3
Here's a little info on mills 2 and 3 shamelessly lifted from English Heritage:
MILLS 2and 3 represent the phased development between 1861 and 1871 of a 21 bay steam-powered, and subsequently electrically-powered worsted spinning mill. Early phase to east, 11 bays of 4 storeys and attics, of rubble sandstone, with keyed semi-circular arch-headed windows up to second floor level, and similar window openings to attic floor. 4th floor with flat-headed openings. Entrance to mill within fire-proof stair tower at east end, within 6-bay return elevation. Doorway with plank double doors with adjacent shaft box for entry of horizontal shaft associated with vertical drive shaft, now removed, within stair well. Later 17 bay phase of c.1871 to the west, constructed to a slightly wider plan, but of matching materials and detailing externally, with a fire-proof stair and water tower and a large engine house at the junction of the 2 phases.
INTERIOR: Both phases are of non-fire proof construction, with timber floors supported on substantial cross beams. Cast-iron columns with compression plates and bolting faces on north side for line shaft cradles. M-profile collared roof with principals carried on cast-iron brackets bolted to floor beams. Collars set within cast-iron shoes support short king posts. Roof valley column supports with rectangular eyed heads. Later phase shares constructional characteristics, but with heavier columns with 4-way bolting faces, and the upper floors retain evidence of multiple line shafts. Both phases retain internal metal fire doors. Stair tower with brick jack arch fire-proofing. Adjacent engine house, with brick vaulted ceiling at 3rd floor level retaining lifting rings. The engine house, thought to have housed a double beam engine designed to power both sides of the mill, retains the engine entablature support stonework in the internal cross walls, and cast-iron shaft boxes for the vertical power shaft, now removed.
The ground floor
Next two levels are wide open spaces that you would expect to find in a mill......
Level four is the one we were looking for. Some of the machinery is still here.
These Shlaphorst automatic winding machines, along with a batch of Volkman twisting frames were installed in the mid 60's to provide large package knot-free yarn to reduce mending costs.
Lots of cones and bobbins lying around
The attic floor
And the eastern attic without roof.
Lovely vaulted ceiling
Looking out over mills 4, 5, and 6 and look for the Wellington Monument in the background.
Next into the massive one story weaving mill
Finally a few features around the site. Managed to avoid CCTV this time
Sorry it's a bit picture heavy, but there's lots to see
All done with my iPhone as ever.
Hope you enjoyed my report.
Engine/boiler house and workshops to follow...........
My main objective was to get into the 5 story worsted spinning building known as mills 2 and 3
Here's a little info on mills 2 and 3 shamelessly lifted from English Heritage:
MILLS 2and 3 represent the phased development between 1861 and 1871 of a 21 bay steam-powered, and subsequently electrically-powered worsted spinning mill. Early phase to east, 11 bays of 4 storeys and attics, of rubble sandstone, with keyed semi-circular arch-headed windows up to second floor level, and similar window openings to attic floor. 4th floor with flat-headed openings. Entrance to mill within fire-proof stair tower at east end, within 6-bay return elevation. Doorway with plank double doors with adjacent shaft box for entry of horizontal shaft associated with vertical drive shaft, now removed, within stair well. Later 17 bay phase of c.1871 to the west, constructed to a slightly wider plan, but of matching materials and detailing externally, with a fire-proof stair and water tower and a large engine house at the junction of the 2 phases.
INTERIOR: Both phases are of non-fire proof construction, with timber floors supported on substantial cross beams. Cast-iron columns with compression plates and bolting faces on north side for line shaft cradles. M-profile collared roof with principals carried on cast-iron brackets bolted to floor beams. Collars set within cast-iron shoes support short king posts. Roof valley column supports with rectangular eyed heads. Later phase shares constructional characteristics, but with heavier columns with 4-way bolting faces, and the upper floors retain evidence of multiple line shafts. Both phases retain internal metal fire doors. Stair tower with brick jack arch fire-proofing. Adjacent engine house, with brick vaulted ceiling at 3rd floor level retaining lifting rings. The engine house, thought to have housed a double beam engine designed to power both sides of the mill, retains the engine entablature support stonework in the internal cross walls, and cast-iron shaft boxes for the vertical power shaft, now removed.
The ground floor
Next two levels are wide open spaces that you would expect to find in a mill......
Level four is the one we were looking for. Some of the machinery is still here.
These Shlaphorst automatic winding machines, along with a batch of Volkman twisting frames were installed in the mid 60's to provide large package knot-free yarn to reduce mending costs.
Lots of cones and bobbins lying around
The attic floor
And the eastern attic without roof.
Lovely vaulted ceiling
Looking out over mills 4, 5, and 6 and look for the Wellington Monument in the background.
Next into the massive one story weaving mill
Finally a few features around the site. Managed to avoid CCTV this time
Sorry it's a bit picture heavy, but there's lots to see
All done with my iPhone as ever.
Hope you enjoyed my report.
Engine/boiler house and workshops to follow...........
