Some of you may remember my report of "the gauntlet" that was Eckersley mill's engine hall a few years ago... I can safely say the sequel "Gauntlet II" was just as hard, interesting and fetted as the first.
After a run of success in mill country I left Host and went solo in search of more to quench my increasing thirst to see more of "cottonopolis", although this mill is technically located in "Spindleton", the surrounding mill towns of Manchester.
The mill is a typical Edwardian affair, partly in use, partly empty and in some cases ruinous. After making my way round to the engine house it seemed there was just enough space to get into the usual network of pipe tunnels. Well they were once pipe tunnels... it seems the small businesses that use the mill find the space a handy hole to dump anything from tires to broken plant pots in. The tunnels are about a foot or two deep in water, and the route I chose through them was through the "car bumper section", ever concious that I was one Mondeo bumper cracking away from lying in the drink. I eventually found a way up to what would have been engine level.
The hall has obviously been ruinous for decades, as the mulch which has been produced from the wooden roof rotting has provided substantial rooting for a small woodland inside the walls. That said there were plenty of original features. Gas lamps, enamel shades, bells, switches and even an indicator panel which has some bakelite labels with the names of the mill's floors.
The rope race was intact, but with a more modern framework inside it. As always the crane still sits proudly on it's rails.
Not the best I have ever seen, but always good to see another engine hall, especially one I can't say I've ever seen before.
The fetted obstacle course that is the steam tunnels
"Mule" and "Ring" refer to the type of looms.
Gas lamp knuckle and the electric lighting that superseded it.
After a run of success in mill country I left Host and went solo in search of more to quench my increasing thirst to see more of "cottonopolis", although this mill is technically located in "Spindleton", the surrounding mill towns of Manchester.
The mill is a typical Edwardian affair, partly in use, partly empty and in some cases ruinous. After making my way round to the engine house it seemed there was just enough space to get into the usual network of pipe tunnels. Well they were once pipe tunnels... it seems the small businesses that use the mill find the space a handy hole to dump anything from tires to broken plant pots in. The tunnels are about a foot or two deep in water, and the route I chose through them was through the "car bumper section", ever concious that I was one Mondeo bumper cracking away from lying in the drink. I eventually found a way up to what would have been engine level.
The hall has obviously been ruinous for decades, as the mulch which has been produced from the wooden roof rotting has provided substantial rooting for a small woodland inside the walls. That said there were plenty of original features. Gas lamps, enamel shades, bells, switches and even an indicator panel which has some bakelite labels with the names of the mill's floors.
The rope race was intact, but with a more modern framework inside it. As always the crane still sits proudly on it's rails.
Not the best I have ever seen, but always good to see another engine hall, especially one I can't say I've ever seen before.
The fetted obstacle course that is the steam tunnels
"Mule" and "Ring" refer to the type of looms.
Gas lamp knuckle and the electric lighting that superseded it.
