Monument record MWX175 - Canvas Factory, later St Michael's Foundry, Foundry Lane, Bridport

A former early 19th century water-powered canvas factory built over a leat from the River Simene. By the late 1880s it had been converted into an iron and brass foundry known as St Michael’s Foundry, which continued in operation until after World War II. It was badly damaged by fire and rebuilt as a single storey building.

A former 19th century Canvas Factory marked as disused on the 1888 Ordnance Survey Map (1). This flax spinning mill was constructed about 1803 and was a typical three storey spinning mill built over a leat from the River Simene. It was initially water-powered, steam power was introduced in the 1830s (2). The factory was also known as the ‘Bridport Factory’ and was run by Thomas Ewens in partnership with John Golding, sometimes known as the ‘Bridport Flax and Spinning Mill Company' (3), as listed in the Trade Directories in 1823/4 and 1840 (4). It is shown on the 1843 Symondsbury Tithe Map as a mill with waterwheel and extensions to the north and south and another small detached building to the north. It is listed as Goldings Factory & plots, owned and occupied by Sarah Golding, Ann Golding & George Ewens. (5)

On the 1902 and 1930 Ordnance Survey maps the site is marked as St Michael’s Foundry (6) (7). The 1889, 1895 and 1915 Kelly’s Trade Directories list Herbert Nelson Harris, mechanical engineer, iron & brass founder at St Michael’s Foundry (8) (9) (10). The foundry continued in use until after WWII. Later the building was used as a car museum before being badly damaged by fire. It was rebuilt as a single storey building (2) (11).

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1890, Dorset Sheet XXXVIII.10 (Map). SDO10516.

<2> Sims, R, 1998, The Mills of Bridport (Monograph). SDO10535.

<3> Martin, C, 2003, The Bridport Trade. Rope & Net : Hemp & Flax, 35 (Monograph). SDO10501.

<4> Bone, M R, 1981, 'Bridport Textile Industry 1814-1945' Somerset and Dorset Notes and Queries, 149 (Article in serial). SDO10528.

<5> Martin, J, 1843, Symondsbury Tithe Map, no. 689 (Map). SDO10530.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1902, Dorset Sheet XXXVIII.10 (Map). SDO10517.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1930, Dorset Sheet XXXVIII.10 (Map). SDO10518.

<8> Kelly's Directories Ltd, 1889, Kelly's Directory of Dorsetshire, 1185 (Serial). SDO10505.

<9> Kelly's Directories Ltd, 1895, Kelly's Directory of Dorsetshire, 42 (Monograph). SDO10529.

<10> 1915, Kelly's Directory of Dorsetshire, 49 (Monograph). SDO10485.

<11> Bone, M R, 1985, 'The Bridport Flax and Hemp Industry' Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society Journal, p24-5 (Article in serial). SWX1452.

<12> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1305039 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Sep 9 2024 4:45PM