Dob Wheel Mill

SD 91 NW WARDLE DYE HOUSE LANE, (North east side) 335/7/142 Smallbridge

04.11.196 Dob Wheel Mill

II

Woollen and cotton mill with weir. 5 buildings date from late C18 to mid-late C19. The earliest building is the small water-powered mill of 3 builds, late C18 - early C19. Coursed stone rubble, slate roof, stone quoins, some re-used. Original 4-bay range has round-arched blocked wheel-house opening, 1st-floor loading door, 16-pane windows, plain stone surrounds; added bay: flat-faced mullion windows, stone steps up to raised 1st floor entrance. INTERIOR: timber flooring, king and queen post roof trusses (Williams, 1989). This earliest part was built as a fulling and perching mill. To north c1800 range probably built for hand-loom weaving. Brick. 3 storeys, paired 16-pane windows (most replaced with 4 panes), central stone mullions. A later steam-powered phase of 1854 is represented by the external boiler house for 3 Lancashire boilers to west: red brick, stone details. 3 round arches to gable, right arch obscured by wooden doors, central and left keyed arches spring from monolithic columns with moulded capstones. Shield-shaped stone plaque centre has inscription: 'DOB WHEEL/ MILL/ 1854'. Gable coping with turned-back kneelers. It is attached to the brick mill range, 11+ bays, now 2 storeys. Tall narrow engine house next to boiler house. Now Smallbridge textiles Ltd. The weir is of stone, with remains of headrace stonework on N bank of the river; it provided water for the earliest phase of the mill, powered by the water wheel, the head and tail races are filled in.

An important site representing the development of several aspects of textile production through hand, water and steam power. (Williams M (GMAU): Mill Survey Report: 1989-)

Listing NGR: SD8900910963