This cotton spinning mill was one of many in Shaw and was opened in 1907 with power provided by this horizontal twin tandem compound steam engine by Scott & Hodgson of Guide Bridge. The cylinders were 18" & 42" x 5' (x2) and turned a 26' diameter flywheel driving by cotton ropes. The engine ran at 60 revolutions per minute and generated 1500 horsepower. It stopped running commercially in 1967 but was then preserved with the assistance of the Northern Mill Engine Society and was run on occasions until 1982 when the mill closed and was sold. Although the engine was made a Scheduled Ancient Monument it became very badly vandalised and was finally scrapped in 1994.
This was a lovely engine and typical of so many in Lancashire. There are now only three large spinning mill engines surviving in situ.
SD9408 : Sun sets on Dawn Mill Shame!
This shows the inside aspect of the engine house that was home to a magnificent George Saxon horizontal steam engine. This drove the mill via ropes and the big rectangular opening is the entrance to the rope race that would have been ranged up the white wall.