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Some 500m to east of Ellerslie Farm, originally Glen Darragh mill (possibly rebuilt and renamed when Ellerslie was rebuilt) the water comes from a dam 100m to SW (possibly associated with the nearby lead mine) and continues past the mill to join the River Dhoo. |
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Burnt down at end of November 1933 -an eyewitness account was carried in the
following day's Isle of Man Examiner, of Friday 1st December 1933;
Several thousands of pounds worth of damage was done during last night when the corn-thrashing mill at Glen Darragh, Glenvine, Marown, was destroyed by fire. The fire was discovered just before midnight and the Douglas Fire Brigade, which was on the scene about 20 minutes later, waged a fierce battle with the flames almost throughout the night. Not until after 3 o'clock this morning was the outbreak under control, by which time the interior of the building, including hundreds of sacks of grain and the machinery, was gutted. The mill is tenanted by Mr William C. Keig, of Crosby House, who also tenants Milntown Mill, Lezayre, and it is owned by Mr W. K. Kermode, retired coal-merchant, of Eastfield, Douglas.
One portion, of which the principal contents were about 100 sacks of grain belonging to Messrs Cowin, Ballaquinney, was barely affected and little damage was done by either fire or water.
The main part, in which milling operations were carried on, was blazing furiously for several hours and the Brigade remained at the scene until late this morning to extinguish the fire completely.
Mr Keig, and his son, Joseph Keig, had been working there yesterday as usual and left the premises at about 8-30 last night, everything apparently being all right. Then at about 11-40 p.m. two Crosby young young men, Messrs Tom Creer and Charlie Cowin, were returning on their motor cycles from a function at St. Marks, when they saw smoke and flames issuing from the rear of the mill. On reaching the mill they, along with a few others who were returning from St. Mark's also, rushed in and released a cow from its stall in the building and a large number of fowls.
They went immediately to Mr Keig, who, along with his family, had retired to bed, and a telephone call was put through, to the Fire Brigade and Police.
The Brigade, in charge of Capt. A. O'Hara and with Motorman Bert Caugherty at the wheel of the big engine, were soon on the way to the scene of the fire and by 12-10 a.m. were playing hoses on the burning building — a really smart bit of work.
Fortunately, the supply of water was plentiful — the mill stream runs right alongside — and with about 600 feet of hose out, water was poured on and into the raging inferno continuously. The big difficulty experienced was the ever present danger of the roof collapsing and falling slates, which prevented the firemen from approaching near the doors and windows and making better use of the hoses. As it was they had, for the most part, to keep at a distance and direct the water through the window spaces. Huge slates fell at intervals, one falling on Fireman S. Caine, but it landed squarely and did not seriously injure him. The firemen concentrated their efforts also in preventing the flames spreading along the wooden joists, which led from the gutted portion through a stone wall to the South part of the premises, and were successful after strenuous work.
At about 3-15 the flames were subdued sufficiently to allow the Brigade to make fresh plans for attacking the interior to better advantage and the firemen were soon on top — at great risk owing to the likelihood of the roof and walls collapsing — removing the slates. After this had been done they were able to play the hoses on the flames, which continued to blaze on the large wooden beams to which the wrecked machinery was attached.
The timbers in the roof also smouldered and fanned by the wind, which freshened up considerably as the night went on, they demanded attention constantly. Portions of the roof continued to fall down in all directions.
At 5 o'clock the outbreak was under complete control, although fire was glowing in several parts — under the eaves and on top of the north gable — but the main portion of the property was ahsolutely burned out and nothing remained except the walls and the battered roof.
Thereafter, water was poured on the smouldering parts at intervals, particularly the large beams inside, the fire having penetrated right through to the centre, making it a long task in stopping its progress.
The commendably fine work of Capt. O'Hara and his men, who were nearly soaked to the skin with water and almost numb with the extreme cold, was witnessed by a very large number of people, who had been attracted to the scene by the flames which were easily visible from the main road and for a considerable distance in other directions.
For the first three hours the engine pumped water almost without a halt, during which time close on 60,000 gallons were used.
The cause of the outbreak is a mystery and probably will remain as such. The only suggestion whieh can be ventured with any degree of reasonableness is that a spark from the engine at the rear of the mill ignited some material inside, because from all appearances it seemed as if the flames originated near the engine shed. The possibility of it having started in the kiln is almost negligible as the kiln-fire was out from about yesterday afternoon.
It is estimated roughly that damage to the extent of £4,000 was done. The buildings were valued at about £2,000; then there was close on £1,000 worth of machinery rendered useless and between six and seven hundred sacks of grain worth about £1,000, were destroyed. It is understood that the whole of the damage is covered by insurance.
The motor lorry was driven out of danger by helpers who were early on the scene and Mr Keig's day books were quite safe, having been brought to his home earlier in the week, but a number of accounts, receipts, etc., were lost in the flames. There was also a fine big cat kept at the mill but there was no sign of the animal after the fire was discovered. Whether it escaped and ran into the fields or suffered death remains to be seen.
After the firemen had succeeded in extinguishing the blaze, welcome hot refreshment was provided for them by Mr and Mrs. Joe Clucas, who live in a house opposite the mill, whilst relief firemen were brought out from Douglas at the same time.
During the operations the fire engine sank to the axles in mud, and it took 3½ hours hard work from 6 o'clock to jack it out to solid ground.
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Water powered Mills etc |
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Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received The
Editor |
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