Asshenhurst Silk Works Blackley

VISIT TO ASSHENHURST SILK WORKS, BLACKLEY. - On Saturday afternoon last, self and friend took an ambulatory stroll to Blackley, a curious in and out village, destitute of all architectural pretensions in the formation and arrangement of its humble dwellings. Passing below the church, which stands near the site of an ancient chapel of ease, with some difficulty we succeed in threading our way towards the works in question. At length, to the left, seated on the Irk, we espy the pretty looking mills and weaving shed now being erected by Messrs. Miller and Mitchell, of Manchester, and right before us is Asshenhurst works, a beautiful eastern palace-like edifice, is situated in Blackley and Crumpsall townships. Messrs. James Houldsworth and Co., of Manchester, have spared no expense in carrying out this splendid erection, designed by Messrs. Isaac Holden and Son, of 28, King-street, Manchester, the contractor being Councillor Neill.

This fairy-like edifice, is composed of extensive slabs of glass, both opaque and transparent; and it is really wonderful how largely glass can be usefully adopted in the erection of a silk mill - of course, the arrangements and workings of a cotton mill forbid its application to the same extent as in a silk mill nevertheless, we believe there is much room for improvement in this respect. A copious supply of pure water is essential for dyeing purposes; hence, a large reservoir, in process of formation, is to be supplied by a couple of streamlets, one of which is estimated to be capable of affording 10,000 gallons in twenty-four hours; at present this is taken to the works by means of gutta percha tubing. For the purposes of filtration, two large circular tanks of brick have been built near the centre of the reservoir; they are 27ft. deep, the inner diameter is 17ft., and the inner casing wall tapers from 27in. at the bottom to 18in. at the summit. There is outer casing of 9 inches, apart from the inner one, the intersticial space being filled with washed sand, in order to filter the water, in case any percolates through the walls into the tanks. It is proposed to draw off for use, one tank daily, whilst the other is settling.

Descending to the works, which we find separated by wall into two portions, we step across the boundary wall, now being erected, and pass the octagonal chimney, rising some 130 feet above the surface of the earth. The engines, two 15-horse power horizontals, manufactured Messrs. R. Ormerod and Son, of Manchester, on Mr. W. B. Johnson's patent, are supplied with steam from two single-flue boilers, fired from each end, fitted up with the latest improvements, including double safety valves on the dome, etc. In case of a fire, eleven hydrants are placed on various portions of the premises, as also 1,410 ft. of main water piping, independent of branches; and in store are also 1,150 ft. of patent wove hose, in reels, as also thirty-six water buckets, and six pick-axes. The gas apparatus is on a corresponding ample scale. The retorts are placed near the boilers; the purifiers, and two large gas-holders at the south-west angle of the plot, near the bank of the river. Hence it is conducted by about 1,250 ft. of gas mains, lying under ground, in addition to the large quantity occupied in its distribution.  Several of the rooms were upwards of 140 ft. long, divided into fifteen bays, and partially filled with some seventy jacquared looms, worked by hand, and shortly to be superseded by new ones, moved by steam-power, and combining the most recent improvements, with elegance of appearance. We briefly examined some of the varied products of these looms, comprising four breadths of fringe, picked with the hand, or table cloths, 60 inches wide, the shuttle propelled with the picking peg. Entering the embroidery rooms, we get glimpse of work done both by hand and machine, and each equally chaste and beautiful. Unfortunately the splendour of some of the crystal work-rooms is marred by calico fixed to the ceiling, in order to render them cool during the summer months. This caused the light to bear a very subdued appearance. Ventilation is carefully attended to; perforations in the floors admit streams of cold, pure air, whilst the heated and impure obtains egress from the roofs. Every attention is paid to the comfort of the hands; hence, in several places water closets, wash stands, and other ablutionary necessities are supplied. Long steam chests are also provided in furtherance of the culinary requirements of the workpeople. The plan embraces manager's and engine-driver s residences, and other appendages usually found in connection with mills. All the roofs have ornamental ridge tiles, of the trefoil pattern, and iron hip knobs or pinnacles of a novel design are forthwith to be affixed. [ Manchester Courier 13 September 1856 page 7]

Reference           Manchester Courier 13 September 1856 page 7