JOHN RYLANDS
Gidlow Works
[Fig. 51]
Gidlow Mills, Wigan in 1865.
Together with his partner, nephew John R. Cross (the son of John Rylands sister Eleanor) they began the construction of Gidlow Mills between 1863 - 1865[1]. It is important to note, that pre - owned warehouses interested John Rylands more, than newly built ones, consequently securing "the best possible value for money"[2]. Mills were designed by Lancashire architect George Woodhouse who was a top - rank architect at that time[3]. The construction was valued for over £100,000[4] due to the newest and highest standards applied. Gidlow Mill became one of the costliest but most influential warehouses ever built[5]. The picture above [Fig. 52] shows that the warehouse was three floors, rather than the usual five and was entirely fire - proof which increased the costs of the construction. D. A. Farnie explains the building's unique construction:
"The nine turrets rising above roof level surmounted ventilation shafts. The chimney soared to a height of 204 feet in order to minimize any pollution of the atmosphere.
With its own private spur railway as well as collieries, the mill held 60,000 spindles and 1,500 looms, extending the manufacturing power of the firm even more than its spinning power"[6].
What is more, raw cotton was offloaded on the third floor and sent down to be processed by warehouse workers up until it is woven into Dacca calico. M. Williams and D. A. Farnie described the building as "the most notable building in Wigan"[7]. But most importantly, the warehouse is also believed to be a memorial to the son of John Rylands - William Rylands who passed away in 1861 at the age of thirty-three[8].
The ‘Modern’ Mill’s production was “superior Dacca Calicoes for Bleaching, Twills for the Celebrated Finish of Silesias and Cloth for Printing”[9], consequently its weekly output averaged about 300,000 yarns[10].
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[Fig. 52]
Inside Gildow Mill warehouse. Cotton spinning room. Photograph taken in 1932.
Copyright of the University of Manchester
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[1]Farnie, D. A., John Rylands of Manchester (Manchester: John Rylands University Library, 1993), p. 15.
[2]Farnie, D. A., John Rylands of Manchester (Manchester: John Rylands University Library, 1993), p. 15.
[3]Williams, Mike and Farnie, D. A., Cotton Mills in Greater Manchester (Preston: Carnegie Publishing 1992), p. 34.
[4]Farnie, D. A., John Rylands of Manchester (Manchester: John Rylands University Library, 1993), p. 16.
[5]Ibid.
[6]Farnie, D. A., John Rylands of Manchester (Manchester: John Rylands University Library, 1993), p. 16.
[7]Williams, Mike and Farnie, D. A., Cotton Mills in Greater Manchester (Preston: Carnegie Publishing 1992), Figure 25.
[8][8]Farnie, D. A., John Rylands of Manchester (Manchester: John Rylands University Library, 1993), p. 16.
[9]John Rylands Library, Special Collections, RYL/1/3/1, Printed paperback catalogue with various warehouses of Rylands & Sons.
[10]John Rylands Library, Special Collections, RYL/1/3/1, Printed paperback catalogue with various warehouses of Rylands & Sons.