Throstle's Nest Mill

William Morton 1843 - 1916

Summary

On the left is a tall, four storey building: this is Throstle's Nest paper mill, on the bank of the river Irwell. Two barges can be seen on the water on the left. Throstle's nest mill burnt down and was rebuilt several times. It is believed that this sketch shows the Smith and Ingles paper mill prior to the fire which devastated it in 1853, even though the sketch is dated 1857. The reason for this belief is that the building shown here is a water-powered mill, down by the water's edge. When the mill was rebuilt after the 1853 fire it was as a series of buildings higher up the bank, to a more linear plan, and the power came from a steam engine. This later steam-driven mill was itself demolished later in the 19th century to make way for the Manchester Ship Canal extension to Pomona. The solid rock foundation beneath the old mill pictured in this sketch was used for the pivot island of the Trafford Road Swing bridge over the Ship Canal at Old Trafford. Not within the frame of view here were at least fourteen cottages where the workforce lived: up to 160 men, women and children were employed at the Throstle's Nest paper mill under Smith and Ingles.