Powder Mill Stories Page 1

The romantic and highly picturesque village of Fernilee, in the parish of Hope, from its interesting and secluded situation affords, whether in winter or summer, some of the most charming landscapes in Derbyshire. Shut out in the greater part from the busy scenes of daily life, and the dull monotony of the town, it fairly reveals in its own quietness and solitude, with nothing to create discord on its grassy slopes or finely-wooded hills.

The clear rippling stream of the Goyt which flows through the valley as a small brooklet, unpolluted with the filth and chemicals which are poured into its waters lower down, abounds with fish which may here and there be seen sporting about, or leaping after the flies upon its surface. Here and there rich meadow and pasture land with cultivated fields and farm houses, some of rude construction, and others of more refined build, dot the landscape, whilst in the distance loom thickly wooded copses and wild moor land, where the pheasant, the partridge, the rabbit, and other game may be found.

Taxal Church, in the centre of a wood, also appears a conspicuous object in the distance; whilst on the slope of a hill may be noticed the neat and handsome little chapel erected by the Wesleyan Methodists, whose sway in this neighbourhood appears to exceed all other denominations.

There are also two coal mines, one worked in the usual way, and the other has had its coal drawn by an inclined tunnel from the bowels of the earth. Near these mines there are a few cottages and neat farm houses, and also a little inn.

The line conveying the wagons of the Buxton Lime Company also passes through this way, skirting the hill side, and carried under the Buxton highway through a deep cutting, and then to the incline on the old Cromford and High Peak Railway.

In one or two secluded spots there are snugly ensconced in shady dells some fine villa residences, a few cottages, and farm steads, all within a short distance of the above highway.

In the valley at the foot of towering heights, clad with trees and verdure, there are situated the gunpowder mills, of Jas. Hall Williamson, & Co., known as the Fernilee Gunpowder Mills, occupying a very extensive area, and so situate as to be quite out of danger to the surrounding district in the event of an explosion. The works, as well as the grounds, are laid out in a very charming manner, making the visitor for the time forgetful of the dangerous material that is manufactured there. The waters of the Goyt, of which this valley is named, are wonderfully diverted so as to furnish the motive power required in the various departments; where other than human strength is needed to carry on the process. Each place or workshop is reached by a neatly constructed tramway, made with the greatest possible care to avoid friction, as the manufactured or unmanufactured article is conveyed from one place to another. Underneath the shadow of a high hill is erected the principal magazine for the storage of the material as it is made. It is strongly built, quite dry, and has double doors for safety.

The workmen on entering are provided with a pair of elastic shoes without nails, in order to avoid any friction, which might lead to an explosion. Passing along the tramway a little further, there are a group of three incorporating mills, having millstones of six tons weight each, driven by a small water-wheel. Here the grains are ground down to their proper consistency. A little further there is a separating house protected by a strong breast wall, to break the force of an explosion, should one occur. Near the charcoal house there is a gun or mortar, from which a shot weighing 61lb can be thrown a great distance. It is used for the trial of powder as is manufactured. Driven by a large water-wheel is the corning and granulating house, with an interior not unlike that of a corn mill, except the colour, and the smell.

In this place India rubber shoes have to be worn.

Then there are the brimstone mill, the glazing house, and the charcoal mill.

There is also the green charge house, the mixing house, the weighing house, and saltpetre stores.

There is also a store room for oil, candles, &c., barrel stores, cooperage shops, mechanics’ and smiths’ workshops, all fitted up conveniently. There are also a couple of exceedingly powerful incorporating mills, worked by water power on an entirely new principle.

The shafts are so secured by coverings of metal that their motions can hardly be seen, however closely watched. The greatest care is taken in all the operations.

There are also the “wort charge” house, a store house, a hydraulic press house, and at the back of the office a neatly fitted up bath and wash house for the use of the begrimed workmen, who can thus, either with hot or cold water, cleanse themselves from the grimy substance by which they have become covered before returning to their homes.

Situated by itself is the weighing house, where the powder is weighed and packed into the barrels, and made ready for storage or for sale. An air of neatness appears spread throughout the whole of the multitudinous works, and the neat little office situated near the entrance gates.

The works are reached by a long winding walk from the Buxton highway on the one hand, and a carriage drive leading from Errwood Hall on the other. The spot is well worth a visit either from the lover of nature, or of human skill and judgement.

It was visited by the tremendous floods some two or three years ago, when great damage was done along the entire valley.

Glossopdale Chronicle

13 March 1875

treat to work people.

Last Saturday, Mr James Hall Williamson, of the Fernilee Gunpowder Works, treated his workmen with a substantial dinner at the White Horse Inn, Mr Elkanah Sellars, book-keeper, presiding. An enjoyable evening was spent.

North Derbyshire & North Cheshire Advertiser

23 November 1883

the gunpowder works.

At the Buxton Petty Sessions on Saturday last, Mr Ault, as the representative of Messrs Williamson & Co., Fernilee Powder Works, applied for a magistrates’ certificate enabling the firm to store gunpowder in a building now in course of erection at their works.

Mr Superintendent Hallam objected on the ground that the erection was incomplete, and that no lightning conductor was affixed. The application was refused.

The Cromford & High Peak Railway

John Marshall

An extension to Messrs Williamson's gunpowder works sidings at Fernilee, south of Shallcross top, at a cost of £57 was approved on 23 April 1884. Williamson was to pay £20 of the cost.

High Peak News

17 November 1888

the fernilee gunpowder mills.

These mills, which have for many years, if not since they were established, been in the hands of Messrs Williamson & Company, have recently been sold to the Chilworth Gunpowder Company (Surrey.) We are informed that the works will be carried on on a larger scale in future.

Ashton Reporter - 13 July 1889

INQUIRY INTO THE CHARITIES OF FERNILEE & TAXAL

Mr Nall said there was no great necessity to remove the school. In fact there was a greater necessity now than ever that the school should be where it was, as there was a prospect of the district increasing in consequence of the Chilworth Gunpowder Company intending to increase their works, and he understood that the company had bought two farms for this purpose, and as there was a probability of the population increasing; and if Elnor Lane School was put in working order, in his opinion there was no need for a new school, as it was in a reasonable distance, only being half a mile from where most of the houses were. He was of the opinion that the experiment of working the school as the trustees intended ought to be tried. His co-trustees were all of the same opinion.

High Peak News

23 August 1890

serious charge.

At the Chapel-en-le-Frith Special Sessions, on Thursday, Moses Bostock, a joiner, was summoned by Henry Bloomfield for unlawfully threatening to kick out his brains. Prosecutor, who is manager of the Powder Mills at Fernilee, said the prisoner worked for him as a joiner.

High Peak News

30 May 1891

accident at the chilwell gunpowder works, fernilee.

On Monday afternoon, a boy named Ollerenshaw had the little-finger of his left hand severely crushed by one of the machines. He was taken to Dr Allan’s surgery, when it was found necessary to resort to amputation of the first joint.