The Great Flood of 1927
“We watched as Middleton floated by” By Harold Cunliffe It was on the evening of the 11th July 1927 that the whole of the centre of a North Manchester mill town became locked down without warning and within a very short period of time and putting many of its residents in a perilous situation.
T
he event which caused so much horror is known as the “Great Middleton Flood.” The disaster originated a few miles away at the border with Oldham, known as “Mills Hill,” where, following several days of rain the canal embankment burst sending millions of gallons of water, laden with mud and debris along the already swollen River Irk towards the town of Middleton. One of the first casualties was the destruction of a bridge connecting the Don Mill to the main Oldham Road. Mill workers had to find an access route via a small footbridge or over the fields at the rear of the mill. Another bridge became swept away on the rivers route towards the centre of town at Hanson Street.
Above: Twenty five year old Annie Waterhouse married Hirst Whiteley in December 1926. Image. Mrs Ella Taylor.
Our image shows a members of the public inspecting the damage. A policeman was sent to keep a watch, preventing onlookers from putting themselves in danger. The late Jack Taylor was only a small boy at the time of the flood, but when interviewed in 2007 he stated that he was fearful of his father being hurt. His father worked at the Cromer Mill, which was suffering the effects
Above: This postcard image shows the failed canal embankment which sent millions of gallons of water cascading towards Middleton.
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Above: 87 year old Annie enjoys her Sunday meal with Ella and Neville Taylor in 1988, who had the foresight to record, for posterity, the valuable memories spoken by their relative.
of water entering the building. Jack related that he thought that his dad Joe may not be safe should the water continue to rise. He and his mother Clara stood on the lane close to their house and watched in disbelief as the cottages in the distance at Little Green became engulfed in flood water. A greenhouse and shed floated away, all the chickens died. The following day neighbours, including Jack and his mother visited the cottages to lend a hand in the cleaning up process, such was the community spirit in those days. Jack decided to go for a walk while the adults were busy cleaning, then he had to be rescued when he sank in the soft silt with only his head and arms visible. His father Joe was one of the party who cleaned out the water inlet feed channels of mud at the Cromer Mill after the levels had dropped to a safe level. The channels provided the water for the steam engines. As a consequence of the canal emptying of water several mills in the area were laid idle. These mills depended upon the canal for the use www.lancmag.com
