Derelictman7
Active member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2020
- Messages
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Located between Rochdale and Heywood and situated at the bottom of a densely wooded valley, and close to the banks of the river Roch. The area originally known as ‘Natfield’ has been mentioned in documents that go back to 1534.In the early stages of the Industrial Revolution, the banks of the river Roch was the most sought after location for the emerging manufacturers of wool and cotton processing, as they could use the potent source of the river to power the machinery.
Gnat Bank Mill, may have been built in the early part of the 19th century, once owned according to records by J.J Mellor. The other strange thing about this place,
there is no evidence of a wide trackway, just footpaths? The mill used water then steam power.
Tunnel I
Height 1584.96mm [5.2ft] Width 1798.32mm [5.9ft]
Unsure of the function of the tunnels, as the recess is approximately 1828.8mm [6ft] above the banks of the river. Inside the tunnel, the brickwork appears to be worn indicating an older structure. Inside the arch on the left hand side, the ceiling has a wooden lining, whether it was used as a form of membrane to allow a clear flow, or to avoid debris from the erosion of brickwork, still unsure at this stage.
Partial elements of stone structures and brick are at the junction points
Tunnel II
Is approximately 12192mm [40ft] in length and 1737.36mm [5.7ft] high Width 2133.6mm [7ft] and is closed off at the end one of the features include a cast iron pipe that protrudes from the ceiling may have been used as an outlet.
Gnat Bank Mill, may have been built in the early part of the 19th century, once owned according to records by J.J Mellor. The other strange thing about this place,
there is no evidence of a wide trackway, just footpaths? The mill used water then steam power.
Tunnel I
Height 1584.96mm [5.2ft] Width 1798.32mm [5.9ft]
Unsure of the function of the tunnels, as the recess is approximately 1828.8mm [6ft] above the banks of the river. Inside the tunnel, the brickwork appears to be worn indicating an older structure. Inside the arch on the left hand side, the ceiling has a wooden lining, whether it was used as a form of membrane to allow a clear flow, or to avoid debris from the erosion of brickwork, still unsure at this stage.
Partial elements of stone structures and brick are at the junction points
Tunnel II
Is approximately 12192mm [40ft] in length and 1737.36mm [5.7ft] high Width 2133.6mm [7ft] and is closed off at the end one of the features include a cast iron pipe that protrudes from the ceiling may have been used as an outlet.
