We are now on the river itself and cruising towards town our view is dominated by the huge bulk of Hunslet Mills; constructed between 1838 and 1842 using the fireproof technology introduced by Benjamin Gott at Armley, the site was used initially for flax spinning. At one time, Leeds was the biggest flax processor in the world; however as demand for sail cloth diminished towards the end of the 19th century, the mill was put to other uses.
Hunslet Mills
Looking behind us as we pass the mill, we can see that the original west range is missing; demolished in the 1970s, however the restoration of the site and conversion into desirable apartments is well underway and it’s pleasing to see how the local authority is driving the regeneration of the south bank.
We pass under the Richmond Bridge which now carries a considerable weight of traffic to the East of Leeds and the M1; this is the fourth crossing to be built here; George Leather Jnr, (a resident of Knostrop New Hall and designer of the Stanley Ferry Aqueduct, built an elegant span in 1828 which was replaced around the turn of the 19th century by a larger, 146’ lattice girder bridge seen here under construction:
Designed by the borough engineer Thomas Hewson and painted green it’s a fading memory from my childhood; always living south of the river, we crossed it many times on the way to East Leeds Cricket Club and my Grandparents’ home on Halton Moor Avenue.
Check back in the next few days as John’s cruise continues…