William Haigh
of Springfield Paper Mill, Reddish
1876 Boiler Explosion at Haigh's Paper Mill, Reddish [1]. See Springfield Paper Mill for newspaper report of inquest. Closing paragraph:-
'Mr. Haigh, the owner of the boiler, was called by Mr. Cobbett. He said he always left the repairs of the boiler to his engineer, who told him during last week that the boiler was safe. He had given the engineer and fireman authority to have any repairs effected which they thought necessary. After hearing other evidence, the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death," and added that they found there had been no thorough examination made to the condition of the boiler since it was put in, either by a boilermaker or by Mr. Haigh's own men: also that the manager and engineer employed by Mr. Haigh were totally incompetent to inspect it in a thorough manner, and that Mr. Haigh was to blame for allowing incompetent men to make these repairs, and Mr. Haigh should have put his boilers under proper inspection. The jury further expressed the opinion that action should be taken by Government to prevent as far possible the explosion of steam boilers and consequent loss of life; but were not prepared to offer any suggestion as to what ought to be done.’
1877 'Local Failures: William Haigh, of Reddish, and of 12, David-street, Manchester, both in the county of Lancaster, paper manufacturer; liabilities, £9,000.'[2]
1877 Adverts: 'RE WILLIAM HAIGH, in Liquidation. 12, David-street, Manchester. All the STOCK of PAPER, Cutting Machine, Sewing Cottons, Safes, Counters, &c., to be Sold by Private Contract, ....
RE WILLIAM HAIGH, in Liquidation, paper manufacturer, Springfield Paper Mills, Reddish, Ten minutes walk from Heaton Chapel Station. The above Valuable WORKS disposed of as a going concern. abundant supply of water. Horses, carts, &c. The premises can be seen any day. Tenders to be sent to Mr. JAMES COOKSON, 3, Great Egerton-street, Stockport.
RE WILLIAM HAIGH, in Liquidation.— FOUR HOUSES, nearly finished, and FOUR HOUSES in course of erection, with Vacant Land for Six more Houses, Acomb-street, near Moss-lane East, Greenheys, chief, 5d. per yard ; together with the Engine, Mortar Mill, and all Loose Materials, BE SOLD by Private Contract.— Tenders for the whole, or for the houses and loose materials separate, to be sent to Mr. JAMES COOKSON, ....'[3]