Helmshore Mills Textile Museum - Boilers and Chimney

Boilers and Chimney

When the steam engine was put in Whitaker's mill, Lancashire boilers were ubiquitous. For maximum efficiency they required air to be drawn over the coals, and this was the function of the mill chimney. As these mills are set in a valley the air flow was irregular so the chimney was built in the hill opposite and the flue passed over the river and underground to reach the chimney. This provided the required updraught.