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Masson Mill. Wheels of power

Edited by DerwentWISE | Added on 12th February 2019

Extract of George Robertson’s watercolour of Masson Mill (c.1790) looking upstream. Shows the waterwheel.
Copyright Derby Museums

Masson Mill was built in 1783 next to the River Derwent to take advantage of a greater water flow.  It was the first of Arkwright’s mills to use the power of the river.

Initially the mill was powered by a single waterwheel until 1801. It was then replaced by two waterwheels which continued to generate power to keep the machines working throughout the 19th century. Turbines were installed in 1928.

The mill’s overall layout is very different to Arkwright’s mills at Cromford.  The entrance and staircase are centrally located leaving production floors clear for the huge cotton spinning machines.

Today, engineering and technology advances are still relevant to Masson Mill.  There are now turbines using the fast flowing river Derwent to make hydroelectric power for the Valley.

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Connections in the Landscape

You can experience Masson Mill. Wheels of power out in the Peak District or Derbyshire by visiting the location marked on the map below, or find it with the help of the Pocket Wonders app.

Connections to other Wonders

Masson Mill. Wheels of power is closely related to other Wonders in the collection.

For the previous chapter in the story, look back at this Wonder:

  • Cromford Mill- One of the first factories in the world

For the next chapter in the story, continue on to the Wonder below:

  • Fancy Working from Home?

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