Andrew's Spinning Mill

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Andrews’ flax spinning mill is a large complex of buildings sited to the N of the Ballygowan Road (where it meets Brae Side), just over a quarter of a mile SW of Comber town centre. It comprises of a range of multi-storey buildings (from single to five storey) mainly in dressed rectangular sandstone blocks with yellow-ish brick surrounds to openings. The earliest portions of the mill date from 1863-4 with the complex expanding to take on its present form during the late 19th and first half of the 20th century. Some sections (notably B3) are relatively recent, perhaps c.1970s.

The following description is based on a comprehensive survey of the whole site carried out by Dr. Fred Hamond in June 1997 and February 1998, with additions by the present writers. Each main section of the complex has a reference which refers to a plan produced by Dr. Hamond to accompany his survey.
Unless otherwise stated, the walls of all buildings are of dressed rectangular sandstone blocks laid randomly; all windows are timber framed.

BLOCK A
This is situated at the north-east corner of the site. A one-storey building, five windows long, now used as a store. It has a hipped natural slate roof and the walls are coarsely dressed and brought to mortared courses, with plain projecting ashlar eaves. Rainwater goods missing. The west gable has a large sliding wooden door. There is also a beaded t+g door with six-pane transom light over along the south wall. The window openings have sandstone heads and cills. Along the north wall, the windows are eight-over-eight sliding sashes; the openings are infilled along the south wall.

BLOCK B
This is situated along the east side of the complex. It comprises five principal units (B1-5), the most notable of which are the engine house (B1), preparing mill (B2), and office (B5).

UNIT B1 (ENGINE HOUSE)
A one-storey/ single-bay building at the north-west corner of the spinning mill. It was erected in 1915, this being the date above its porch, and also the date when the first floor was added to the mill. It has a flat concrete roof over metal beams. There was formerly a water tank on the roof, now removed. The sandstone blockwork is uncoursed and laid in cemented and has finely-dressed pocked faces.

In the middle of the south wall is a porch (B1.2) with similar roof, walls and eaves (with addition of blocking course above cornice); it also has smooth ashlar quoins. The door opening, which has ashlar jambs and stepped ashlar voussoirs, contains a pair of partly-glazed timber doors with semicircular transom over. All the windows openings have semicircular heads, chamfered and stepped (‘in & out’) yellow-brick jambs, and ashlar sandstone cills. The windows have spoked heads, margined panes and bottom-hinged top openers. There is a three-paned window to each cheek of the porch and a similar but larger four-paned window on the main wall either side of the porch. There are two identical four-pane windows along both sides of the main block. At the back are two similar windows, between which is a double-leaf door.

The rope drive from the engine is housed in a flat-roofed bay (B1.3) added to the north gable of the mill. It was built at the same time as the engine house and is of identical wall construction. There are two tall flat headed windows to each floor along its back (north-facing) wall, all with one-over-four panes and ashlar sandstone cills.

At the east end of the rope drive bay is a two-storey toilet block (B1.4). This is accessible from both floors of the rope drive bay and mill. It was built at the same time as the rope drive and is of identical construction. Both its floors have small windows on its north and east walls.

UNIT B2 (PREPARING MILL)
This block, which was used for the preparing of flax for spinning, was erected in two stages. Initially it was a single-storey building, erected in 1901 according to a stone on the porch on its west wall. A second floor was added in 1915, as per the datestone above the aforementioned one. It would have been at this time that the stairway was added to the south gable, increasing its length to 21 bays.

The roof is flat and of felted reinforced concrete, with cast-iron downpipes on the east wall. Its ground floor walls have roughly dressed faces and the sandstone blocks have been brought to cemented courses. The blockwork to the upper floor walls has more finely dressed surfaces, and is laid irregularly. All the window openings to both floors have almost-flat yellow brick heads and stepped jambs. Contrary to what one might expect, their ground floor cills are of concrete, but ashlar sandstone on the first floor. All contain one-over-four pane top-opening windows; the only exception is the ground floor window to the west wall of the stairwell, which is a two-pane margined fixed light.

A one-storey porch (B2.2) abuts the middle of the west wall. It has a flat concrete roof with dentiled yellow brick cornice. Its walls and ope trim are the same as the ground floor of the mill, but with chamfered edges to the quoins. There is a painted t+g door in its west face, with two-pane transom above. There is a one-over-four top-hung window to each cheek.

Access can also be gained to both floors of the mill from the stairwell which occupies the south-most bay (B2.3). There is a door at either end of this well, which also contains an electric lift and stairs to the office block. The fact that its walls are as the top floor of the mill, and that the south gable of the mill proper has blocked up windows confirms that both floors of this bay were later additions. The stonework also reveals this as an addition.

There are two small cement-rendered toilet blocks on the east wall (B2.4, 2.5). The north stack is one storey high and is probably contemporary with the 1901 building. That to the south is two storeys high was probably added in 1915.

A small one-storey block (B2.6) abuts the east wall immediately north of the north toilet stack. It has a monopitched slate roof, with two skylights to its sarked ceiling. The walls are painted and plastered internally, and its floor is tiled. It has a one-over-four top-opening window to each cheek.

UNIT B3
Immediately east of the preparing mill is a large modern one-storey shed. It is now a workshop but was originally built as a hackling room. Its pitched roof has parapeted verges and is covered with profiled metal sheeting. There is a vertical break on the east-facing pitch of the roof to accommodate a row of windows. Aluminium rainwater goods. The walls are of brick, with recessed panels dressed with rusticated cream brick. Its east wall forms part of the boundary to the complex. There is a roller shuttered door on its south gable, with decorative brick roundel above. There is also a short linking passage on the west wall through to the preparing department. The north gable contains four modern plastic windows. [Current writers observed 3 x four pane windows].

UNIT B4
This L-shaped block abuts the east end of the south wall of B2. It is two storeys high and contains offices and recreational facilities. At first floor level, it is six windows wide along its south wall (which fronts the street), and seven windows wide along its east wall (which forms part of the eastern boundary of the site). It would appear to incorporate three phases of construction, the first of which was a single-storey block along the street frontage of roughly square plan (B4.1). Its walls are of sandstone blockwork brought to courses. There is a doorway at the west end of the south wall, which also has a single two-over-two sliding sash window. Its north wall has a large ten-over-ten sash window. Both windows have sandstone heads, jambs and cills. There are three windows (one is two-over-two sliding sash) to the west elevation.

The building was subsequently raised by a floor and also extended by a two-storey canted bay at east (B4.2). This upper floor was erected specifically as a mill school. It was accessed via a yard from the street through a doorway in the boundary wall just right of the gatehouse. This opening has ashlar sandstone jambs and head (all with stop-end chamfering), moulded cornice and blocking course.

The lintel is inscribed "Comber Spinning Mill National School" and the blocking course carries the date "1877" (now largely obscured by greenery). The opening contains a painted t+g door, now disused.
Although there is no obvious wall break between the two floors, the blockwork of the upper floor is smaller, more finely dressed and laid in regular courses; there is also a moulded sandstone cornice. The roof of this two-storey building is hipped at its west end and has natural slates and cast-iron gutters of ogee profile. A yellow-brick chimney rises through its canted corner at east.

There is a door into the ground floor at east, on the canted corner. This opening has an ashlar sandstone surround, moulded cornice and horizontal drip mould. It contains a painted t+g door with two-pane transom over.

The six first floor window openings along the south wall (two of which are in the cant) have cream-brick heads and jambs, and concrete cills, as have the two windows to east and west. All contain metal-framed one-over-four top-opening windows.

The third phase of construction was the addition of a two-storey return at the east end of the north wall of the existing block (B4.3). The date "1908" is inscribed above the doorway on its north gable. There is a clear wall break along the east wall between the second and third window openings from south. The sandstone blockwork of the new addition is dressed to a higher standard, and laid randomly in cement. Its roof, a continuation of that on B4.2, is pitched at its north end, and the gutters are of ogee-profile cast-iron. All the openings on this return have yellow-brick heads, chamfered and stepped yellow-brick jambs, and the windows have sandstone cills. Along the east wall, both floors have one-over-four top-opening windows. On its north gable is a four-panel painted timber door at centre (with three-pane transom), to either side of which is a one-over-one sliding sash window. There are also two small one-over-one sashes at first floor. The west wall has two doors identical to the gable and three six-over-six sashes at ground floor, and three one-over-four windows at first floor.

There is a small toilet block (B4.4) at first floor level across the end of the gap between B4.3 and B2.3. It has a reinforced-concrete floor and roof, and brick walls. Its three sets of metal-framed windows to north share a continuous concrete head, but have separate concrete cills.

Internally, all walls are rendered and painted. The ground floor of B4.1 contains a kitchen, toilets and large billiards room (still with table and canopy light over). Mounted on the wall is a set of polished brass engine steam-pressure gauges by Combe, Barbour and Combe, and dated 1899. The ground floor of B4.2 contains the accountant's room, and the upper floor a workshop, kitchen and landing through to the stairwell of the preparing mill. The ground floor of B4.3 contains the board room, tea room and toilets, and the upper floor a canteen and toilets.

UNIT B5 (ADMINISTRATION)
This building abuts the west end of the south wall of the stairwell to the preparing mill. It is one storey high, and the principal elevation, which faces south, is three bays wide. It has a pyramidal natural slate roof (with two skylights to south) surmounted by a cream-brick chimney (with moulded sandstone cap). Its sandstone blockwork has been brought to courses, with a deeply moulded sandstone cornice over which incorporates rainwater gutters (cast-iron downpipe on east wall). All the openings have cream-brick heads, stepped jambs, and sandstone cills. At centre of south wall is the principal entrance, up three finely-dressed sandstone steps. Its door is of painted timber with four fielded panels and two-pane transom light over. There are two windows to south, four to west, one to north and four to east, the majority of which are two-over-two sliding sashes.

BLOCK C
This block, at the centre of the complex, incorporates seven units (C1-7), the most notable of which are the boiler house and chimney (C1), engine house (C2), and spinning mill (C4).

UNIT C1 (BOILER HOUSE ETC.)
A two-storey + attic / 10-bay long building at the north end of the block. The date 1876 is inscribed on its north gable below the cill of the top window. It has a natural slate gabled roof with upstanding gabled ridge lights. The walls are of coarsely dressed blocks brought to courses with a deep moulded sandstone cornice. Their surfaces are finished to a lower standard than the adjoining spinning mill.

The east wall of the ground floor is arcaded by seven semicircular headed openings, all with purple-brick dressings; the three at north are partially infilled. At the north end of this wall is a wider vehicle opening with horizontal metal girder head (with column under at centre). Goods wagons were once brought through this room on a siding from the Belfast - Downpatrick railway. Above and in line with the ground floor openings are nine tall semicircular headed openings which extend up to eaves level. These openings have cream-brick trim and sandstone cills. Seven have louvered ventilators and the two at the north end are fenestrated with a pair of multi-paned timber lancet lights (with a pair of opening panes). There are 10 similar windows along the west wall at first floor level. There is a vehicle entrance at left on the ground floor of this elevation. The north gable has three flat-headed one-over-four windows to ground floor, three semicircular windows in line above, and a similar window in the apex.

Abutting the west wall of C1.2 is a duct which leads to the chimney (C1.4). This is of red brick, octagonal in cross-section, and tapers to a corbelled top. It is strengthened by iron bands and a lightning conductor runs down one side.

UNIT C2 (ENGINE HOUSE)
Situated at the south end of the east wall of unit C1, this two-storey building rises level with the bottom three floors of C4. It was erected in 1899, the date inscribed on its east wall above the entrance porch.

The roof of the engine house (C2.1) is flat and of reinforced concrete decked with plasticised sheeting. The walls are coarsely dressed sandstone blocks laid randomly, with a moulded sandstone cornice and blocking course over. There are three rectangular recessed panels edged with yellow brick at first floor level above the ground floor openings on the east wall; the middle one bears the 1899 date. All the window openings have yellow-brick heads, stepped jambs and sandstone cills. Left and right of the entrance porch, which abuts the middle of the east wall, is a tall semicircular headed opening with 3x4 paned spoked-headed window; between the inner and outer panes are narrow strips of stained-glass. There is a identical, but taller, window on the south gable and an infilled one on the north gable. At first floor are three flat headed one-over-four top-opening windows. There are two identical windows on each gable.

The porch (C2.2) has a flat concrete roof, around three sides of which is a cement-rendered parapet with projecting corners and coping. Its walls, cornice and window/door trims are identical to the rest of the engine house, with the addition of finely-dressed and chamfered quoins. There is an entrance on the left and right cheeks. Both have four-panel painted timber doors with semicircular transom lights over. The east wall has a three-over-six spoke-headed sash window.

Abutting the north wall of the engine house is a small single-storey block (C2.3) of identical roof and wall construction to the porch, but with a dentiled yellow brick eaves course. On its north wall is a set of double doors, and on its east cheek a three-pane window with stained glass margins; the west cheek is blank. A tall metal chimney flue emerges through the roof.
This room formerly connected with the engine house proper through a door at the bottom of the window opening in the party wall; this is now infilled.

UNIT C3 (ROPE DRIVE)
Between the boiler house and spinning mill is a three-storey/ two-bay flat-roofed building. It would appear to be contemporary with the adjoining mill as it is identical in construction and there is no wall break.

UNIT C4 (PREPARING AND SPINNING)
A four-storey + attic building, 18 bays wide at the south end of block C. The date '1863' is inscribed at first floor level on the 10th bay from left on the east wall. The pitched roof has natural slates and ogee cast-iron rainwater gutters (downpipes to both sides). Its sandstone blockwork is coarsely dressed and is laid randomly with a moulded sandstone cornice over; the joints have been repointed with cement mortar. The south gable, which is three windows wide, has a flat parapet across its apex and is surmounted by a belfry (now without bell) and metal windvane. There is a semicircular-headed attic light in the apex. The majority of window openings have cream-brick heads and stepped jambs, and sandstone cills, with metal-framed one-over-four top-opening windows.

The three bays at the south end differ from the remaining 15. Their wall facings are more finely dressed, all their window openings are trimmed with yellow brick, and the internal columns are bigger and support larger steel joists between the brick jack arches. That this is a later addition is confirmed by a 1907 datestone underneath the second floor window on the south gable. So well has this extension been integrated that there is no trace of the mill's original south gable. At ground floor between bays 2 and 3 on the outside face of the east wall is a cast bronze plaque commemorating employees who died in the first world war.

There is a one-storey entrance porch (C4.2) at the north end of the east wall. It has a flat roof, yellow-brick trimmings and dentiled brick eaves course. Its similarity in style and juxtaposition to the engine house suggests an 1899 construction date. There is a four-panel painted timber door on the first bay to this wall to access the stairwell and electric lift therein (C4.3). Both door openings have yellow brick dressings.

UNIT C5
This abuts the north end of the west wall of the spinning mill. It has a natural slate roof, hipped at its north end, and ogee cast-iron gutters. It incorporates three phases of construction. The first is a small single-storey entrance porch, probably similar to C4.2 It has a one-over-four window in each cheek (that at south now blocked). Its end wall has been removed to accommodate a one-storey building at right angles to it (and parallel with the mill). The blockwork of this second phase building is coarsely dressed and brought to courses. This building was subsequently extended to the north, as evidenced by its different style of stonework, concrete window lintels and cills, and red-brick trimmed entrance from west. Its sarked roof is supported on light timber trusses.

UNIT C6
This fills the angle between the south gable of C5 and the west wall of the mill. It is a large modern concrete brick shed with flat concrete roof and large roller shuttered vehicle door on its south gable.

UNIT C7
A modern steel-framed one-storey shed, clad in profiled metal throughout, abutting the west wall of the boiler house. It contains a boiler (by Thompson Cochran), its coke supply being raised on an external conveyor belt.

BLOCK D
This block is situated towards the west side of the premises and comprises three main elements (D1-3). Its main function was the preparing of the flax for spinning.

UNIT D1 (PREPARING)
A three storey plus attic block, 15 bays long. The functions of the various floors of D1.1 are: ground - flax store, 1st - drawing, 2nd - hackling, attic - store. This section dates from 1875, the date inscribed above a doorway at the south end of the east wall. A stairwell (D1.2) is incorporated in the south-most bay the main floor (D1.1). An external lift shaft (D1.3) was added to the north gable in 1920 (the date inscribed at first floor level on the outside face of its north wall). There is also a cement-rendered toilet block at the south end of the west wall (D1.4), and another on the east cheek of the lift stack (D1.5)

The building has a pitched natural slate roof, with skylights and metal ridge ventilator at its north end. Ogee cast-iron rainwater gutters. The blockwork is finely dressed and laid irregularly, with a moulded sandstone cornice. There is a four-panel wooden door with transom light above at the south end of the east wall which leads into passage D1.2 (and from which there are connections to D1.1 and D3.2). There is also a door to the right of the lift shaft on the north gable, with external canopy over. There are also fire escape doors on the second bay from the left on the west wall. The window openings have yellow-brick stepped jambs and heads, and sandstone cills. The windows are metal framed and contain one-over-four and two-over-four top openers. All the window openings on the south gable above the abutting building (D2) are blind, including a semicircular-headed window on the apex. Many of the ground floor windows are infilled with brick, and metal ducts have been inserted through some of the windows along the west wall.

The lift shaft tower (D1.3) projects above the apex of D1.1 at north. It is of identical construction to the main block, despite being 45 years later. It is surmounted by a small metal water tank. A window on each floor lights the well of the lift, and there is also a window to each floor of the abutting toilet block.

UNIT D2
A two-storey/ 10-window wide building across the south end of D1 and D3, and facing towards the road. It has a hipped natural slate roof. There are half-round metal and plastic rainwater gutters. The blockwork is coarsely dressed and brought to courses, with a projecting eaves course and more finely dressed quoins. There is a row of small openings across the front elevation between the ground and first floors, probably ventilators. The window openings have sandstone heads and cills. In place of windows are timber louvers, most of which are intact. The fifth bay from left on the south wall contains a large double-leaf timber door. Its opening has a semi-elliptical head and is trimmed throughout with cream-brick (with chamfered edges). The fourth bay from left at first floor level on the same wall has a fire escape door. There is also a small door on the east wall, the opening of which is trimmed similar to the ground floor door on the south elevation.

UNIT D3 (CARDING)
This one-storey/ 15-bay block is aligned parallel and west of D1. The date 1925 is inscribed above the two window openings on its north gable. A covered passage (D3.2) at the south end of its east wall connects with unit D1. It has a felted flat reinforced concrete parapeted roof supported on steel beams (one per bay). The blockwork is coarsely dressed, and laid in regular courses in cement mortar. There are doors at east and west, and to the link passage to D1. The window openings have stepped jambs and shallow segmental heads, all of yellow brick, and concrete cills. The windows are one- and two- over-four metal-framed top openers.

Internally, the walls are unrendered and painted, and the floor quarry tiled. All the machinery has been removed, but traces of an overhead lineshaft remain.

BLOCK E
This block is situated at the south-west corner of the site and comprises three sub-units (E1-3), all of which appear to have been disused for some time.

UNIT E1
This two-storey/ five windows long building has a hipped natural slate roof and half-round metal gutters. The walls are of coarsely dressed sandstone blocks laid irregularly in lime mortar, with a projecting eaves course. It is of similar constructional style to D2. There is a sheeted timber door on its east wall, set in an opening with chamfered cream-brick jambs and head. There is a similar door opening at first floor level on the south gable. All its window openings have sandstone heads and cills. There are three-over-six top-opening windows on the ground floor, and single-paned windows to the first floor.

UNIT E2
A one-storey block, five windows long. Bounded along its west wall by a water course, it abuts E1 at an angle as a later addition. It has a pitched natural slate roof with circular metal ridge ventilator. No rainwater gutters. The walls are of random rubble sandstone set in lime mortar, with dressed quoins. The windows are three-over-six sliding sash.

This building is now accessible only from E3. Viewed from outside, the roof is sarked, the internal faces of the walls are cement rendered and painted, and the floor covered with quarry tiles. The water course runs in a northeasterly direction in a culvert under the yard and emerges at north to feed a dam from which water is abstracted.

UNIT E3
A one-storey former garage infilling the angle between E1 and E2 as a later addition. It has a flat felt-covered roof and half-round plastic gutters. The walls are a mixture of finely dressed sandstone blocks and random rubble sandstone, all strap pointed with cement and with dressed quoins. It probably incorporates an earlier rubble boundary wall. There is a set of sliding wooden doors along the south wall, the jambs of which are of yellow brick. The windows are eight-over-eight sliding sash, with quarry-tile cills.
A random rubble wall runs south of the south-east corner of this building to create a yard in front of E1.

BLOCK F
This L-shaped block, at the north-west corner of the site, comprises four sub-units (F1-4). Its main function was spinning.

UNIT F1 (WINDING SPINNING)
A one-storey block, 19 bays long and four windows wide. It is internally divided by a stud wall into two rooms: an 11-bay section at the south end (F1.1), used for spinning, and an eight-bay unit to north (F1.2), used for winding. It appears to have been built as a single unit; a datestone above the second door from the left on the east elevation is inscribed '1920'.

The main block has a flat parapeted roof of felted reinforced-concrete over I-profile riveted metal girders (one beam per bay). Metal down pipes on both sides. A metal-sheeted dust extractor unit has been affixed to the top of the roof, along its west side, in the more recent past. The finely dressed sandstone blockwork is set in irregular courses, with a projecting ashlar sandstone eaves course; cement is used in the jointing. The door openings have heads and stepped jambs of purple engineering brick (with rounded corners). There are four such openings along the east elevation; the second from left, at the north end of room F1.2, has a large metal roller shutter. Along the south wall, the second window opening from left has been enlarged to form a door into unit F4. There are tall window openings along all but the north wall, each bay being lit by at least one window. All have stepped yellow brick segmental heads and jambs, and finely dressed sandstone cills. The windows have timber frames with 2x3 panes, the middle row of which are top opening.

Small flat-roofed toilet blocks project to east and west (F1.3, 1.4). The former is identical in construction to the main block and is undoubtedly contemporary. The latter, which also incorporates a store, is a later addition. It is of rendered concrete block construction and accessed via an enlarged window from room 1.1.

UNIT F2
This unit abuts the east wall of unit F1 at its north end. It is probably contemporary with unit F1, i.e. dating to 1920. It is sub-divided into two sections by a gabled wall which projects above the roof line. The building has a hipped natural slate roof, sarked over metal trusses. The north and east walls are of sandstone blocks irregularly laid in cement. There is no wall along the south elevation, the roof trusses resting on metal columns. The space between these columns is open in room F2.1, and infilled with large slatted wooden doors in room F2.2. The internal party wall is of red brick with a purple engineering brick edging along its south end. The window openings along the north facade have concrete heads and cills, and yellow-brick jambs. Those of F2.1 are infilled externally with concrete blocks, and the remainder are louvered (but infilled on the inside). There was formerly also a door on the north wall of F2.2, with engineering brick surround as F1; this, too, has been infilled. Room F2.1 (at west) is now a dispatch area, and F2.2 houses a tow bailer. Both have concrete floors and painted unrendered walls.

UNIT F3
A modern addition in the angle between units 1 and 2. A monopitched steel-framed unit clad in profiled metal with large roller shutter door on its east face, it houses the dispatch area.

UNIT F4
A modern addition to the south gable of unit F1, of similar construction to F3.

BLOCK G (GATES AND GATE HOUSE)
The site is bounded along the street by a sandstone wall. Just east of the main spinning mill (block C), the wall turns in to form the canted screen of the main entrance (G1). The vehicle entrance, at centre, comprises an elliptical arch in ashlar sandstone over finely dressed and imposted abutments. It contains a pair of large painted timber doors (with strap hinges). On its right jamb is a polished brass nameplate reading "John Andrews & Co Limited". On the screen to the left is a small semicircular headed blind opening, with post and block ashlar jambs, moulded impost and keystoned head. This recess is faced on the outside with a painted timber door to balance the identical entrance at right which leads into the gate house (G2). The top of the screen has crenellated ashlar coping stones and steps up over the middle arch.

The gate house at right is single storied and of irregular hexagonal plan. It has a crenellated parapet around a flat concrete roof. There is a chimney on its back wall. Its walls are of irregularly laid finely dressed blockwork. On its north-west cant a door (with sandstone lintel) leads out into the yard. It is lit by a single two-over-two sliding sash window on its east wall. This has a chamfered yellow-brick surround and sandstone cill.

MISCELLANEOUS FEATURES
In a yard between units F2.2 and C1.3 is a jib crane. It is manually operated by a handle on each side (a two-step spur gearing links with the winding drum) and can rotate about its base. It is of all metal construction (mostly cast iron) except for its wooden jib. Its base is inscribed "MacAdam Brothers & Co. Soho Foundry Belfast".

Historical information

The interpretation of this mill's historical development is greatly facilitated by the fact that many of its buildings have attested dates in the form of datestones: not only are new buildings thus dated, but also new floors within existing blocks. This is particularly useful as the first relevant OS map does not appear until 1902. Moreover, although the Valuation revision books show the site to increase in value over time, they do not specify precisely which buildings were added.

On the basis of the datestones, there appears to be five major phases of development, as will be shortly discussed. It is also possible to date building units which are without datestones on the basis of their spatial and/or functional relationship with securely dated buildings. It is also possible to distinguish some early buildings from later ones on the basis of their stonework. The former are basically of squared sandstone rubble with coarsely dressed faces, whereas the latter are carefully executed sandstone blocks with more finely dressed surfaces.

Phase 1: early 1860s
John Andrews and his three sons (James, John and Thomas) embarked on the erection of a flax spinning mill on this site in January 1863. The plans were apparently drawn up by James Combe & Co of the Falls Foundry, Belfast who in May 1863 estimated ‘that the cost of such a mill in the Belfast district on suitable foundations, say 18 x 22 bays long, would be about £450 per bay, 20 bays long- £9,000. This indicates foundations, ashlar plinth, the foundation not exceeding 3ft for walls and 4ft deep for pillars, walls, columns, beams, filing (no cross gutters in the spinning room), roof with skylights for attic, building 51ft wide overall, first floor 14ft, 2nd 13ft, 3rd 12ft 6in, attic for reeling, 4ft at eaves windows….’. This firm also supplied the preparing and spinning machinery with the boiler and engine were manufactured by Victor Coates of the Lagan Foundry, Belfast.

Much of the actual building work was supervised by Thomas Andrews (then only 20 years old) who reported in January 1864 that he had put in the arched floors, completed the boiler house, engaged a production manager(‘at a high salary’), and was ‘anxious to commence hackling in March’. Spinning itself began in June.

The 15 bays of the four-storey spinning mill (C4.1) belong to this first phase, and probably also the rope drive block (C3.1, C3.2). The office (B5) and ground floor of the adjoining block (B4.1) probably also belong to this phase, along with stores A, D2, E1, E2, entrance (G1) and gatehouse (G2). There does not appear to be any trace of the original engine house, but it is possible that part of it is incorporated in building C.

Phase 2 (1875-77)
The block (C1) at the north end of the spinning mill was erected in 1875, and the one-storey mill (D1) to its south-west the following year. In 1877, the school was erected on the first floor of building B4.1, and the opportunity was undoubtedly taken the extend eastwards (B4.2).

Phase 3 1899-1908
A new engine house (C2) at the north-east end of the four storey mill was erected in 1899. This is the same date as the gauges in the snooker room, suggesting that its engine was by Combe, Barbour & Combe. According to McCutcheon, this was a compound 'marine' type engine (i.e. not horizontal), and was removed in the 1950s. It is probable that the present chimney (C1.4) was also erected simultaneously and also the porch at the north-east end of the spinning mill (C4.2). Two years later, the ground floor of the east mill (B2.1, B2.2) was erected, undoubtedly along with the toilet block (B2.5). In 1907, the four storey mill was extended southwards by three bays (part of C4.1 and C4.3). The following year a return (B4.3) was added to the north side of block B4.2. These various additions are reflected in increased in the valuation of the complex: from £480 to £545 in 1902, and to £585 in 1908.

Phase 4 1915-25
In 1915 an engine shed, rope drive and toilet stack were added to the north gable of the east mill (B1). It is possible that this mill had no motive power prior to this date and was not directly utilised in preparing and spinning. Its construction undoubtedly occurred in response to the raising of the mill by a floor; the stairway (B2.3) and toilet stack (B2.4) were almost certainly erected simultaneously.
Five years later, a one-storey block (F1) and associated buildings (F2) were erected at the north-west corner of the site. In the same year the 1875 mill was augmented by a lift (D1.3) and second toilet stack (D1.5). Five years later again, in 1925, a further one-storey unit was added parallel to, and west of, the 1875 mill (D3.1). The small infill between these two blocks (D3.2) probably also dates to this time. The garage, E3, is probably of this vintage. The valuation revisions again reflect these changes: from £585 to £785 in 1917, £756 in 1919, and £800 in 1925.

Phase 5 Mid-late 20th century
It is probable that the toilets B4.4 and C4.4 were added sometime around the middle of the present century. In the recent past, probably after 1960, further additions were made: B3, C6, C7, F1.4 (toilet), F3 and F4. The style and materials of these recent buildings are in stark contrast to the style, solidity and longevity of the earlier ones.

This chronological development is also mirrored in the large-scale OS maps of 1902, 1920 and 1949. A number of additional minor buildings are also shown on these maps, all of which have disappeared.

Large scale production at the mill ceased in 1988 and the complex closed for good in 1996-97. Much of the machinery was removed in 1998 and 1999.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI D.4189/A-D Andrews Papers- documents concerning the flax mill.
2 PRONI VAL 12B/23/11C, p.70c; /11D, p.87 (1902 and 1908 valuations).
3 PRONI VAL 12B/23/11E, p.149a. (1925 valuation).
4 PRONI OS 10/3/10/7/4 OS map 2nd ed. 1902 (25" map).
5 PRONI OS 10/3/10/7/1 OS map 1920.
6 PRONI OS 10/3/10/7/3 OS map 1949.
S. Andrews (1958),
Secondary sources
1 Sydney Andrews (ed. John Burls), ‘Nine Generations- A History of the Andrews Family, Millers of Comber’ (Isaac Andrews & Sons, 1958), pp.148-149 etc.
2 W.A. McCutcheon, ‘The industrial archaeology of Northern Ireland’ (Belfast: HMSO 1980),plate 89.5.
3 Survey of the Andrews’ Flax Spinning Mill carried out by Dr. Fred Hamond in June 1997 and February 1998.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H+. Alterations enhancing the building
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship
W. Northern Ireland/International Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance

Evaluation

Largely intact flax spinning mill complex built at various stages between 1863 and 1925 with some later minor later additions. It comprises of a range of multi storey buildings from single to five storey, mainly in dressed rectangular sandstone blocks with pale yellow brick surrounds to openings. Given the substantial gulf of age between many of the sections, the whole site displays a remarkable architectural consistency. The complex is no longer used and most of the machinery has been removed.