Shrewsbury Flax Mill Maltings - north engine house

Image: © Chris Allen Taken: 3 Dec 2022

The Grade 1 Listed iron-framed flax mill had engine houses at the north and south ends. This is the view inside the north engine house that is the full width of the mill. The mill was built in two stages in rapid succession with the south engine being a Boulton and Watt of 1797 and the north engine of 1800 being thought to be by Fenton, Murray & Wood of Leeds and of 40 horsepower. The 1800 engine was replaced in 1820 and the evidence suggests that the engine house was rebuilt as the bricks are smaller and the roof is of a more modern construction. The new engine was of 56 horsepower and again very probably by Murray. In c1874 the beam engines at each end were replaced by 30 horsepower single cylinder Corliss engine by Hick, Hargreaves of Bolton. There were considerable internal changes to the engine house with the insertion of a new vaulted fireproof floor above the engine. The flywheel is a projection on the wall where there was an original flywheel. The suspended grid floor is over excavated foundations.

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