History
Built in 1839 alongside the Ashton canal in Ancoats, Manchester Brunswick mill was one of the largest cotton mills in the UK. Signed by David Fellhouse of a fire proof construction, comprising transverse ceiling vaults supported on Hodgkinson- type cast-iron beams and columns. The brick ceiling vaults were to be reinforced by cast-iron arch ribs, which were located at intervals along the length of the vaults. Brunswick Mill is Grade II listed.
Here is what the mill originally looked like
The mill has undergone various changes during it’s lifetime. During the 1840s, a small three-storey block was added to the north-eastern end of the main spinning block, and by 1856 the original boilers had been replaced by the improved Lancashire type.
In 1865 the mill complex was taken over by the Bannerman Mills Company, the manufacturing subsidiary of Henry Bannerman & Sons, who became one of Manchester’s leading textile-manufacturing firms.
Here is a plan of the complex
The mill was originally powered by a large double beam engine compounded with 47” low pressure cylinders and 26” high pressure cylinders placed in the northern part of the engine house and power transmission from this engine was via spur-gears, upright shafts and bevelled gears to line shafting on each floor. The steam was provided by wagon type boilers which were later changed to more efficient Lancashire boilers. These were housed in the Western wing of the mill and didn’t have their own boiler house.
During the second half of the 19th century a few changes were made to the mill. Two loading bays were installed inside the courtyard.
A single cylinder horizontal steam engine was also installed to the original twin cylinder beam engine, which provided a total combined power of 1600 hp. This engine was located within the courtyard and power transmission from this engines via a rope drive system, providing a more efficient, reliable and quieter drive than the traditional geared system from the Beam engine.
During this time and due to the increased power larger spinning mules were installed, as can be seen below.
In 1908/1909 Brunswick mill became the first mill to use electricity as the main power source for the machinery. With this came the scrapping of the engines, and a transformer house was built, located in the south-western corner of the courtyard were the newer single cylinder steam engine was located.
Power was provided by 37 motors housed in external glazed towers built within the courtyard. See below
Below is the electric turbine pump for the sprinkler system which was installed at this time also.
Due to fire risk concerns, with the build up of dust in textile mills a dust flue was added to the western end between the mill and the chimney in 1910 and this can now be seen in the image below.
And an aerial shot showing the flue but the chimney as since been demolished. Image date circa 1970
and another aerial shot showing the mills surrounding Brunswick
By 1923, the Bannerman Mills Company Limited was in liquidation and the following year was amalgamated with the Lancashire Cotton Corporation Ltd.
The Lancashire Cotton Corporation Ltd replaced the spinning mules with ring- spinning frames, presumably as part of a programme of modernisation in the face of increasing foreign competition. Ring-spinning frames were somewhat heavier than spinning mules, necessitating the strengthening of the original cast-iron floor structure (Jones 1985, 183). This was achieved by installing a system of trussed tie-rods mounted beneath the beams on short vertical brackets. As seen below.
Cotton production ceased around the mid 60’s and the mill was sold to Trownbay Property Company Ltd and was then used to various different firms. There was one firm, Dreamtex still using the mill for textiles until quite recently. The majority of the mill was used to various studios for music production and band rehearsals.
As of 2023 the mill is to undergo redevelopment into, yep you guessed it. Apartments! But as much as people moan about these overpriced developments, to me, at least the mill get’s a new lease of life and who knows might last another 150 years or so!
Pics
West end of the mill showing the dust flue.
West elevation showing the engine house
Engine house
First floor in the engine house. No fancy tiles here just pigeon shit, rubbish, tat and needles! tread carefully.
Top floor in the engine house
View from inside the courtyard
Loading bay
Looking to the loading bay and transformer house, the archway int he middle (now bricked up) was originally the walkway to the engine house.
One cool feature. Stone spiral staircases.
Toilet block on the left
Quite an old sign as it’s before the 0161 area code
Some views from the roof
Etihad
Bradford Road Gasometers
Some ornate brickwork up top
Victoria Mill, Miles Platting
Wellington Mills
Hope Mills
Mannyyyyyy
And lift gear
Built in 1839 alongside the Ashton canal in Ancoats, Manchester Brunswick mill was one of the largest cotton mills in the UK. Signed by David Fellhouse of a fire proof construction, comprising transverse ceiling vaults supported on Hodgkinson- type cast-iron beams and columns. The brick ceiling vaults were to be reinforced by cast-iron arch ribs, which were located at intervals along the length of the vaults. Brunswick Mill is Grade II listed.
Here is what the mill originally looked like
The mill has undergone various changes during it’s lifetime. During the 1840s, a small three-storey block was added to the north-eastern end of the main spinning block, and by 1856 the original boilers had been replaced by the improved Lancashire type.
In 1865 the mill complex was taken over by the Bannerman Mills Company, the manufacturing subsidiary of Henry Bannerman & Sons, who became one of Manchester’s leading textile-manufacturing firms.
Here is a plan of the complex
The mill was originally powered by a large double beam engine compounded with 47” low pressure cylinders and 26” high pressure cylinders placed in the northern part of the engine house and power transmission from this engine was via spur-gears, upright shafts and bevelled gears to line shafting on each floor. The steam was provided by wagon type boilers which were later changed to more efficient Lancashire boilers. These were housed in the Western wing of the mill and didn’t have their own boiler house.
During the second half of the 19th century a few changes were made to the mill. Two loading bays were installed inside the courtyard.
A single cylinder horizontal steam engine was also installed to the original twin cylinder beam engine, which provided a total combined power of 1600 hp. This engine was located within the courtyard and power transmission from this engines via a rope drive system, providing a more efficient, reliable and quieter drive than the traditional geared system from the Beam engine.
During this time and due to the increased power larger spinning mules were installed, as can be seen below.
In 1908/1909 Brunswick mill became the first mill to use electricity as the main power source for the machinery. With this came the scrapping of the engines, and a transformer house was built, located in the south-western corner of the courtyard were the newer single cylinder steam engine was located.
Power was provided by 37 motors housed in external glazed towers built within the courtyard. See below
Below is the electric turbine pump for the sprinkler system which was installed at this time also.
Due to fire risk concerns, with the build up of dust in textile mills a dust flue was added to the western end between the mill and the chimney in 1910 and this can now be seen in the image below.
And an aerial shot showing the flue but the chimney as since been demolished. Image date circa 1970
and another aerial shot showing the mills surrounding Brunswick
By 1923, the Bannerman Mills Company Limited was in liquidation and the following year was amalgamated with the Lancashire Cotton Corporation Ltd.
The Lancashire Cotton Corporation Ltd replaced the spinning mules with ring- spinning frames, presumably as part of a programme of modernisation in the face of increasing foreign competition. Ring-spinning frames were somewhat heavier than spinning mules, necessitating the strengthening of the original cast-iron floor structure (Jones 1985, 183). This was achieved by installing a system of trussed tie-rods mounted beneath the beams on short vertical brackets. As seen below.
Cotton production ceased around the mid 60’s and the mill was sold to Trownbay Property Company Ltd and was then used to various different firms. There was one firm, Dreamtex still using the mill for textiles until quite recently. The majority of the mill was used to various studios for music production and band rehearsals.
As of 2023 the mill is to undergo redevelopment into, yep you guessed it. Apartments! But as much as people moan about these overpriced developments, to me, at least the mill get’s a new lease of life and who knows might last another 150 years or so!
Pics
West end of the mill showing the dust flue.
West elevation showing the engine house
Engine house
First floor in the engine house. No fancy tiles here just pigeon shit, rubbish, tat and needles! tread carefully.
Top floor in the engine house
View from inside the courtyard
Loading bay
Looking to the loading bay and transformer house, the archway int he middle (now bricked up) was originally the walkway to the engine house.
One cool feature. Stone spiral staircases.
Toilet block on the left
Quite an old sign as it’s before the 0161 area code
Some views from the roof
Etihad
Bradford Road Gasometers
Some ornate brickwork up top
Victoria Mill, Miles Platting
Wellington Mills
Hope Mills
Mannyyyyyy
And lift gear
