thwaite mills

Blog number 1 by Paul Foster.
The object in the photo is the steam crane used
to unload barges.

The story starts in 1641 with a 4 water wheel powered
fulling plant at the mill.
See previous blog on Armley Mills.
This was before the canal was constructed.
When the canal was built in 1700 it placed
the mill on a island between river and canal cut.

The mill was purchased by the A&CNco in 1820 in
line with their policy of preserving the water
supply for themselves.
It was rebuilt by them with 2 water wheels.
In 1825 the mill was leased to W&E Joy.