Road Engines Beetling Mill

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A double-pile, two-storey rubble masonry linen beetling mill of 1902. Aligned approximately East-West along the South side of a block known as the ‘Road Engines’ on the North (left) bank of the Clady River which originally supplied it with water power.
The river still powers a modern hydro-electric turbine in a small purpose-built building belonging to Upperlands Community Development Group to the South of the block. The beetling mill is connected by a corridor at first floor level to a two-storey earlier beetling mill, now converted into a café and exhibition space (HB08/02/004A).

Mill
Hipped natural slate roof, no rain water goods except for metal down pipe from central roof valley. Random rubble walls with brick eaves and brick heads and jambs to all openings. All windows are 4x4 timber framed with metal security grilles over. Some openings have timber louvres. Unless otherwise stated, all window openings have quarter-round brick cills. North elevation has a central doorway to Ground Floor, with double-leaf tongue and groove door which is flanked by two segmental-headed windows to each side (one is a 2x4-pane replacement; all have concrete cills). Seven square-headed openings to First Floor – a doorway at left (obscured by linking section – see below), three louvred openings, and three windows.

The left end of this elevation is abutted by a two-storey corrugated metal section giving access to an annex to the beetling mill at North, and with stairs up to a corridor linking it to building at N (/004B). East gable has three window openings to First Floor; one has a replacement uPVC frame, the middle one is infilled, and the third is sheeted over. South elevation has five windows to Ground Floor (one is a 2x4-pane replacement), and seven openings to First Floor (three windows and four louvres).

West gable has, to Ground Floor, a small segmental-headed 4x2-paned window to each pile (both with sloping rendered cills), a timber cover over the end of the power transmission shaft at middle, and doorway at Ground Floor right. Three windows to First Floor, the middle one of which is now infilled with concrete blockwork.

Roof: Natural slate.
RWG: None.
Walling: Random rubble masonry with brick trim to openings.
Windows: 4x4 timber and louvred shutters.

Annex
The mill is abutted at left by a double-pile, single-storey building aligned North -South which contains the power plant which drives the mill.
Roof is curved corrugated metal over Belfast trusses. No rain water goods.
South gable is of rubble masonry with brick apex. Two windows to left pile (each 4x-8-paned cast-iron frames) and a semicircular-headed doorway to right pile (sheeted over).
East elevation is of random rubble to Ground Floor, concrete blockwork to First Floor, with concrete ring beam between. Two small later lean-to extensions with miscellaneous doors and windows.
North gable is random rubble to Ground Floor and brick to First Floor; it is partly cut into the slope. Infilled doorway to left pile; and has 3x1 metal-framed window (with concrete cill) to right pile, all at First Floor level.

Roof: Corrugated metal.
Rain Water Goods: None.
Walling: Random rubble masonry and concrete brick.
Windows: 4x8 cast-iron and others.

Setting:
To North East is a derelict single-storey dwelling with a ruinous two-storey building behind. The latter overlooks open ground overlooking the river. On the opposite side of the river is a small modern housing development.

Historical information

This beetling mill was erected in 1902 and is first cited on the 1905 OS map. It was originally powered by two 15-inch Turnbull turbines and a steam engine by Victor Coates of Belfast; the chimney associated with the engine is also captioned on the OS map.
In 1918, the steam engine was replaced by a 68hp gas engine (by Fielding & Platt). In 1931, the two turbines were also replaced by a single 70½ hp turbine by Gilkes & Gordon of Kendal. Then, in 1934, the gas engine was superseded by an oil engine. Both the turbine and oil engine have since been replaced by an electric motor. The beetling engines are still in regular use by Messrs Clark who operate an extensive linen finishing works on the opposite side of the main road.

References – Primary Sources:
1. PRONI OS/10/5/32/12/1. OS 25-inch map, Co Londonderry sheet 32-12 (1905).
2. PRONI OS/10/5/32/12/2. OS 25-inch map, Co Londonderry sheet 32-12 (1926).
3. PRONI OS/11/65/2/1. OS 25-inch IG map sheet 65-02 (1971).

References – Secondary Sources:
1. Gribbon, H.D., The History of Water Power in Ulster (Newtown Abbot: David & Charles, 1969).
2. McCutcheon, W.A., The Industrial Archaeology of Northern Ireland (Belfast: HMSO, 1980).
3. Clark, W., Linen on the Green: An Irish Mill Village, 1730-1982 (Belfast: Universities Press, 1983).
4. Photograph album 1B belonging to the late Wallace Clark shows road engines and chimney from SE, c.1911.
5. Hamond, F.W., An Industrial Heritage Survey of William Clark & Sons Works, Upperlands, Co Londonderry (for Turley Associates, March 2009).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

S. Authenticity
R. Age
T. Historic Importance
Z. Rarity
W. Northern Ireland/International Interest
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Architecturally, this building is typical of the style of beetling mills – rectangular planform, two storeys high and with louvred openings to first floor. Its double-pile footprint reflects the arrangement of the beetling engines within (two rows of seven) and its interior is largely unaltered. It also has group value with the adjoining former building to its north which is not listed, HB08/02/004A, and with the extensive, former linen works north of Kilrea Road.
The building is historically authentic and, although its power plant is comparatively recent, all of its original beetling engines survive and most are still in use. It is a rare example of a beetling mill, being one of the few complete examples now surviving in Ulster. Indeed, it is of international importance in being the only commercial beetling mill still operating in Britain and Ireland; the beetling mill owned by the National Trust at Wellbrook, Co Tyrone is also operated, but for demonstration purposes only.