The Caldew & Millrace
Map of Carlisle 1805 An engraving by J. Roper from a drawing by G.Cole.
The map above from 1805 shows the importance of water as a power source in the birth of Industry in Shaddongate. Fifty years after the start of the Industrial revolution, Carlisle was in a rush to catch up with other modern, manufacturing cities. The waters of the Caldew had important properties for bleaching purposes as well which saw calico printing businesses becoming successful in the area from the 1760’s onwards.
"It was quickly realised that these businesses would benefit financially if their raw material, calico, could be manufactured in this district, to avoid the cost of transporting it from Lancashire. Three of Richard Ferguson's sons had already in 1791 opened a cotton factory at Warwick Bridge, but family reasons made it necessary to procure further assistance to carry on the Fergusons' various concerns, and this was fortunately forthcoming from a relative, Mr. Peter Dixon, a merchant of Whitehaven, and his two sons, John and Peter."
Memories Of Old Carlisle: Topping & Potter, 1922.
What is Calico? Find out more HERE