in Delph, Saddleworth
1864 Advertisement: 'VALUABLE FREEHOLD ESTATE AND MILLS, AT KNARR, IN SADDLEWORTH.
TO BE SOLD BY PRIVATE CONTRACT, all that newly-erected substantial Stone-built MILL or FACTORY, situate at Knarr, near Delph, in Saddleworth, with the Engine-house, Boiler-house, Cottage, Office, Outbuildings, and Chimney thereto belonging ; together with Steam Engine and Boiler set up therein.
And also a small MILL adjoining, with the waterwheel, spur wheels and shafting, together with all that substantial stone-built Barn, Stable, Shippon, and Hayloft adjoining the mills.
And all those several Closes of MEADOW and PASTURE LAND, situate at Knarr aforesaid, containing together (including the site of the mills, buildings, and reservoir), 11a. 2r. 5p. statute measure, or thereabouts.
And also a YEARLY CHIEF-RENT of £1 1s. 10d„ payable out of a plot of land, situate at Knarr aforesaid, containing 262 square yards, and the buildings thereon.
The new Mill is a handsome and substantial stone building. It is 24 yards long by 15 yards wide, inside measure, four storeys high, and attic. The rooms are lofty and well lighted, and fitted up with steam pipes. The condensing steam engine, of 20-horse power (by Messrs. Taylor and Hirst, of Marsden), is quite new, and fitted up with large spur wheel, bevil and other wheels. One double furnace boiler, 40-horse power, with five vertical pipes and seven horizontal tubes, and is warranted to work at 70lbs. pressure to the square inch (by Messrs. Pritchard and Sons, of Oldham)) fitted up with all the requisite piping, &c. The Mill is well adapted for either woollen manufacturing or cotton spinning.
The small Mill is about nine yards long by nine yards wide, inside measure, and is three storeys high. The Wheel Race and Waterwheel are nearly new, the latter being 30 feet four inches diameter, and two feet two inches wide, with spur and tappet wheels, main shaft, and other shafting.
The Barn is newly erected, and is a very handsome stone structure.
The Land is of excellent quality, thoroughly drained, and in first-rate order.
There is a most abundant and continuous supply of pure spring water, capable of being conveyed to almost any part of the estate, on which are sites well adapted for the erection of a large brewery or other works.
On the estate is a capital Stone Quarry, with beds of superior flag, ashler, and wall stone, and there is a good road to the Quarry.
The estate adjoins the turnpike-road from Delph to Oldham, and is distant about 800 yards from the New Delph Station of the London and North Western Railway.
There has been recently a large and judicious expenditure in improvements on the estate, which presents many natural advantages, and is capable of being still further developed.
One-half of the purchase money may remain on mortgage at £5 per cent, if desired. For particulars, and to treat for the same, apply to Mr. William Eastwood, of Walk Mill. Dobcross, the owner ; or to Mr. Henry Blackburn, Auctioneer and Agent„Upper Mill, where plans of the estate may be seen.
N.B. — lf the Property is not sold on or before Monday, the 4th day of January, 1864, the owner will be prepared to Let the whole of the estate, in one or more lots, to suit the convenience of tenants. December 18th, 1863.'[1]
1902 'New Engines at Delph. New engines have lately been started, and are giving every satisfaction at the Knarr Mills, Delph, belonging to Messrs. D. and H. Mallalieu, Ltd. They have been erected by Messrs. Victor Coates and Co., Limited, Belfast, who are well-known makers of different types of high-class corliss engines, their works being situated in one of the largest centres of marine engineering. The engines are the eighteenth set of this design which Messrs. Coates have erected in England during the last few years. These engines are of the compound vertical jet condensing type, having corliss cylinders 12in. and 20in. diameter, 21in. stroke, and when running at 100 revolutions per minute will be capable of driving 100 to 120 horse power. The general arrangement is that usually adopted by Messrs. Coates., viz., the cylinders are bolted together above the tops of the supporting columns, forming a very rigid arrangement, and securing great steadiness on the upper platform. The receiver is arranged between the cylinders with the steam and exhaust valves directly connected, thus avoiding all pipes. The most important feature of the engines is that the valves are at right angles to the centre line of the engine, so that they may be withdrawn by simply removing the back covers, leaving all the gear on the front of the engine undisturbed. The steam valves are actuated by the cut-off motion of Messrs. Coates' design, the high pressure being automatically controlled by the governor and the low pressure by hand while the engine is running. .... The fly wheel is 9ft. in diameter and weighs 4 tons, it has 6 grooves for 1 1/2in. diameter ropes. .... Messrs. Mallalieu have also fitted a new boiler 7ft. diameter by 24ft. long, capable of standing a pressure of 140lb.; this has been supplied by the Oldham Boiler Works Co Limited. Green's Economiser of 72 pipes is placed behind the boilers, with an arrangement of bye-pass flues and feed pipes, so that the boiler can be worked without the economiser if necessary.'[2]