Chadwick Vertical Steam Engine

Single-cylinder vertical engine, made by John Chadwick, Manchester, 1860. Slide valve, speed 50 rpm, power output 5 horsepower.

Small engines like this were used in many industries where space was limited. The vertical cylinder arrangement allows a powerful engine to be fitted into a small area.

The engine passed through several owners during its working life. Donated by Circulume in 1962, who had only recently occupied the Victoria Works this engine was removed from. Prior to this, Victoria Works was occupied by John Martin & Sons, who had only recently bought out the previous owners, Howarth and Co. Both Martins and Howarths were textile engravers. Prior to this, it is thought that the engine was installed at the Heaton Mills Bleaching Company owned by Lord Frederick Cawley, making it likely that this engine’s earlier use was also in the textile finishing industry.