The directors were Messrs Barlow, Marland, Coop, Newton, Pollitt and Pownall; they were later referred to as the Ashton syndicate.

The Bank of England set up the Lancashire Cotton Corporation in 1929 to attempt to rationalise and save the industry.

It had been converted to rings and it produced 20 to 40 count high class combed and carded hosiery yarns.

Lancashire County Fire Service initially responded, but soon requested assistance from neighbouring brigades such was the size of the incident.

Sadly, whilst engaged in firefighting duties, Manchester Fire Brigade Fireman Norman Nolan of Blackley Fire Station died when a wall collapsed on him whilst he was working on an escape.

Alongside him was Sub Officer Bill Partington of Mossley Fire Station, who survived although badly injured.

This was a 30 bay mill designed by Sydney Stott, it had his trademark double rings on its chimney.

The later engine had a 28" diameter high pressure (HP) in the centre, with a 33" IP and 51"LP cylinder.

There were 76,896 mule spindles spinning medium counts of yarn from American cotton.