Harp Mill, Rochdale

COTTON TRADE PROSPECTS. Until within the past year or so the doubling of cotton was a section of the trade unknown in Rochdale, but the boom in the industry has led to its being started at two purely local mills, and two in the Whitworth Valley. The Harp Mill, Castleton, has been erected to carry on this important branch of the cotton trade and this first-class mill fitted with the latest type of machinery and managed by a competent board of directors has every prospect of a successful career. On Saturday the engine was formally christened by Mies Gladys Lye, a daughter of Mr. James Lye, one of the directors, 

A POWERFUL ENGINE. Mr. HARRY THOM of the firm of paean. Yates and Thom, Blackburn, gave the following description of the engine which had been made by that firm. He said it was known as being of the horizontal cross compound surface condensing type. It was of 700 indicated horsepower, and the speed was 75 revolutions per minute. the boiler pressure being 160 lbs. to the square inch. The high-pressure cylinder was 20 inches in diameter, and the low cylinder 40 inches in diameter; the stroke was four feet. Both cylinders were fitted with Corliss valves, and the governor was connected to the high-pressure gear. The pistons were of the Ramsbottom type, and the piston rods were fitted with the best metallic packing. The rope pulley was 21 feet in diameter, grooved for 18 ropes of 15/8 inches in diameter, and weighed about 21 tons.  

The chief contractors for the mill were:  Builders, Messrs. R. and T. Howarth, Rochdale; engine and boilers, Messrs Yates and Thom Limited, Blackburn: millwrights, Messrs Petrie and Company Limited. Rochdale; doubling machinery, Messrs Howard and Bullough Limited, Accrington; preparation and gassing machinery, Messrs. Arundel and Company, Stockport; heating and ventilating, J. Stott and Company, Oldham. [Heywood Advertiser - Friday 14 August 1908 page 6]

CHRISTENING - On Saturday. Miss Gladys Lye, daughter of Mr. James Lye, one of the directors of the Harp Doubling Co., christened the engine at the Harp Mill. The company was registered in September last, with a capital of £50,000 to build a doubling mill, and intended to be up to date in every respect. The machinery is expected to be running in less than three months.  [Cotton Factory Times - Friday 14 August 1908 page 5]

1938 Acquired by the Lancashire Cotton Corporation.
1958 Mill ceased spinning.
1958 Mill acquired by N. Corah (St. Mary) Ltd. for use as a hosiery factory.

Reference    Heywood Advertiser 14 August 1908 page 6 - formal christening of engine
Reference    Cotton Factory Times - Friday 14 August 1908 page 5
Reference    Coventry Evening Telegraph, 05 December 1958