| Description | Hirst's Mill, Wakefield. Mid 19th century waterfront mill.
Archaeological Services WYAS undertook a programme of archaeological recording and appraisal in advance of a flood defence scheme on and around the River Calder in 2001. The work was based upon a specification prepared by the West Yorkshire Archaeology Service's Advisory Service.
The sites which form the subject of the resulting report comprise:
Fall Ings Lock. PRN 12412
Wakefield Old Lock. PRN 4946
Hirst's Mill. The subject of this record
Thorne's Lock. PRN 12950
The photographic images produced by the event are held by WYAAS. The resulting report, which is also held by WYAAS contains annotated drawings in addition to a description and historic background of the above features. The section of the report regarding Hirst's Mill is summarised below:
The growth of the West Riding clothing industry and the fact that Leeds and Wakefield had thriving markets required an improvement in communications. An Act was passed in 1699 that enabled sections of the river to be enlarged or straightened and for cuts to be made to bypass dams and weirs. By 1703 the Aire and Calder Navigation Company had sufficient locks in place to enable navigation as far as Wakefield Bridge. None of the early 18th century timber structures survive. The Wakefield Old Lock (PRN 4946) was constructed during this time to allow access to an area which became known as Navigation Yard. This contained company headquarter offices, warehouses and granaries. In the next 50 years improvements were made with some locks replaced in stone. In 1754 John Smeaton was engaged to extend the navigation network westwards, surveying the waterways from Sowerby Bridge to Wakefield. The Calder and Hebble Company was formed in 1758 and built a system of locks which started the Fall Ings Lock. Many warehouse, coal staithes, wharfs and maltings were constructed along Thornes Lane and on the river bank after this time. Hirst's Mill is an example from the 19th century. The most impressive building is the main warehouse of the Calder and Hebble Company (PRN 12951). Improvements continued to be made. Much of what is now visible of the navigation network is late 18th or early 19th century.
The report then presents a summary of the map and documentary evidence.
Hirst's Mill is one of the few remaining true waterfront buildings to survive on Thornes Wharf. It is possible that the building was originally constructed as a malt house, later converted into a warehouse and office. Constructed in brick in the mid 19th century, the building was later rendered and now has boldly painted advertisements on three faces. The building is approximately 17.4m by 9.5m and is four storeys. The external elevation has two window openings either side of a floor to ceiling loading door on each floor. Advertising lettering on this elevation reads 'JOHN HIRST and CO CORN, CAKE and BARLEY MERCHANTS'. All window openings, with the exception of single enlarged window, are single light. The central loading doors on the top floor appear to be original, and the rest are upvc replacements. The roof cladding is of replacement asbestos sheeting.
The street side elevation follows the same arrangement of openings, with the exception of the central door at first floor level which has stone steps leading from road level, the road being high at this side. The floor above the basement level is of nine bays, with dividing beams supported on pairs of cast iron columns.
The building is generally of one phase and has undergone few structural changes. Later blocking occurred on the lowest land. The concrete floor in the basement in the basement may well be later. A partition in the basement may date to around 1900. The first and second floor are altered little. The roof comprising queen post truss in softwood is original (c.1850). |