I have just returned to Stockport after a couple of days staying with family in Bristol during which we visited the M.shed museum and learned that the ex-Stockport VERNONs on my tree very likely worked at the Great Western Cotton Mill. A web search for the mill produced this item by Paul Townsend 1872 The weaving shed of the Great Western Cotton Works covered nearly an acre of ground and housed more than 800 looms. More than 500, mainly female, employees worked in the shed. Machinery in the adjacent sheds was powered by a revolving shaft, some 180ft in length, which weighed several tons. The shaft crossed the weaving shed, fixed to a solid ceiling beam by heavy iron bearings. The beam itself was supported by cast-iron columns. Shortly after two o’clock, one end of the beam broke away from its fastenings. As it swung slowly round, more bearings and columns were broken and within seconds, the shaft and beam crashed onto the looms below, completely crushing them. More than seventy girls were working directly below the beam but miraculously only ten were injured. Five were well enough to be sent home but the remaining l five were sent to the Infirmary, where Clara Robins (15) died from her injuries. An inquest on her death held by coroner Mr H.S. Wasbrough recorded a verdict of ‘accidental death'. Martha Vernon (19) escaped the first fall, but a piece of iron fell onto her head as she was trying to pull a little girl out of the debris. Martha later died from a fractured skull. I can't believe it .....poor young Martha is one of mine born in Stockport in 1853! Eric Millward ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5577 / Virus Database: 4257/8826 - Release Date: 12/28/14