Chepstow Steam Flour Mill
in Chepstow, Gwent
Built as a steam-powered flour mill in 1851 by Robert Sharpe. Sharpe had been the contractor for the masonry for the Chepstow Railway Bridge. The mill opened in 1852. Later used as maltings. Now Grade II listed, and used as Head Office for Mabey Bridge. Located at the entrance to Mabey's works, alongside the railway embankment.
1858 Sale Notice: 'MONMOUTHSHIRE. Highly Important to Capitalists, Millers, &c. VALUABLE FREEHOLD STEAM FLOUR MILLS, with LEASEHOLD YARD. STORES, STABLE, COTTAGES and GARDENS, &c. situate in the Town of CHEPSTOW
Messrs. DOWLE. and STEPHENS Have received Instructions TO SELL BY PUBLIC AUCTION, (IN ONE LOT,) At the Bank Buildings, Chepstow, on Wednesday, the of September, 1858, at three o'clock in the afternoon, subject to such conditions as shall be there produced ;-
ALL that very commodious and substantially stone-built and slated Six-storied FREEHOLD STEAM FLOUR MILLS, advantageously situated in the midst of a corn-growing district, and in convenient proximity to the extensive Corn Markets of Gloucester, Ross, and Hereford, and also commanding the great, consuming Mineral Districts of the Royal Forest of Dean, Monmouthshire, and the whole of South Wales, being immediately contiguous to the South Wales Railway Station, in the seaport town of Chepstow, having a Turntable and Siding running into the same, with two 30-horse power coupled vertical direct action Steam Engines (by Fairbairn, Manchester), driving pairs of Stones, fitted with Swaine and Bovill's patent blasts, &c. and all other Machinery and Fittings on the most improved principle, with convenient space for carrying out the Proprietor's intention of laying down other pairs of Stones, having sufficient boiler accommodation for carrying out the same, and thus increasing its capabilities of supplying the growing demands the surrounding districts, and rendering at the same time one of the most extensive, as well as the best situated. Mills in the kingdom ; together with the Right of Access over the Bridge connecting the Mill with the Railway, and other privileges and easements held by the Vendors for 99 Years, from 1853, under grant from the South Wales Railway Company, at the nominal Rent of 1s. per Annum, and subject to keeping the said Bridge, &c. in repair ; together with all that LEASEHOLD YARD, contiguous to the Mill, with Stone and Wood-built and Slated lofty Two-storied CORN STORES, measuring 132 feet long by fifty-two feet wide, adjoining the River Wye, with convenient Berths for loading or discharging Vessels all states of the tide ; PUMP and ENGINE HOUSE, and WELL, with a never-failing supply of Spring Water, large reserve Reservoir ; Stone-built and Tiled 6-stall STABLE, with Harness and Chaff Rooms ; and Two convenient Brick-built and Tiled COTTAGES and GARDENS, held by Lease, bearing date the 1st of August, 1782, for the term of 95 Years, from the 25th March, 1782, at a Yearly Rent of £7 10s. payable half-yearly, containing by admeasurement 3A. 2R. 14p. late in the occupation of Messrs Sharpe and Sons. May be viewed, and particulars had of Messrs. Paine and Layton. Solicitors, Guildhall-Yard, or Messrs. Martin, Thomas, and Hollams, Mincing - Lane, London; at the Bell Hotel, Gloucester ; Royal Hotel, Ross ; Beaufort Arms, Monmouth ; King's Head, Newport ; the Hotels at Chepstow ; or of Messrs. Dowle and Stephens, Auctioneers and Estate Agents, Ross and Chepstow. (IT A portion of the Purchase Money may remain on Mortgage, if desired.' [1]
1864 'Chepstow — Serious Accidents.—On Monday afternoon Mr. J. Jones, of the firm of Messrs. Parnall and Jones, proprietors of the steam flour mill, accidentally fell through a trap-door in the floor of the third storey on to a heap of sacks of wheat on the ground floor, distance of feet. When discovered he was apparently lifeless. He was not restored to consciousness for several hours, although every means of resuscitation were used. Mr. Jones escaped without fracture or dislocation, but suffered from severe concussion of the brain. He is now doing well.' [2]