Leeds news on today's date (Sept 19) in 1853.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Wed 19 Sep, 2012 9:22 am

The following is from John Mayhall’s 'Annals of Yorkshire' volume 1, published in 1861:-September 19 1853. “A dreadful boiler explosion took place on the premises of Messers. George Hammond and Son, flax spinners, Lowfold mills, Bank, Leeds, which resulted in the death of six persons, and serious injury to several others. The persons killed were Thomas Hamilton, Jane Middleton, Ann Macdonald, Martin Fleming, George Procter, and Rose M’Nally. The coroners jury decided that the explosion was caused by the boilers and their fittings being constructed on a dangerous principle, and that they were worked at too high a pressure.”I have not been able to readily find an image of Lowfold Mills but I did find this one in Leodis that was taken on 23 January 1950. It shows some impressive looking pumping machinery at Low Fold Mills on East Street, which is in (or very close by) the Bank area, so it could be the Lowfold Mills in the news report (sorry if it isn’t). This is the link to the photo on Leodis:- http://www.leodis.org/display.aspx?reso ... SPLAY=FULL

chemimike · Post by **chemimike** » Wed 19 Sep, 2012 1:13 pm

I think that probably was the right site, though very changed in use over the years. Below is a c 1850 map showing the mills. By the 1890 it is a shoddy mill. also below is a report from the Newcastle Courant on the explosion. Gales newspaper website don't seem to have the Leeds Mercury for around that date.[IMG]http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq38 ... 200fc8.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq38 ... f8d382.jpg[/IMG]

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Wed 19 Sep, 2012 1:48 pm

Consequences ? 3rd Augst 1854:- another pic here I think http://www.leodis.org/display.aspx?reso ... ifier=4217

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Wed 19 Sep, 2012 2:18 pm

Cheers chemimike and Jogon for your excellent inputs.