However this may be, he got on board an English ship, and
returned to England in safety. He brought two Italian workmen
with him, accustomed to the secrets of the silk trade. He
arrived in London in 1716, when, after conferring with his
brother, a specification was prepared and a patent for the
organzining of raw silk was taken out in 1718. The patent was
granted for fourteen years.
In the meantime, John Lombe arranged with the Corporation of the
town of Derby for taking a lease of the island or swamp on the
river Derwent, at a ground rental of 8L. a year. The island,
which was well situated for water-power, was 500 feet long and 52
feet wide. Arrangements were at once made for erecting a silk
mill thereon, the first large factory in England. It was
constructed entirely at the expense of his brother Thomas. While
the building was in progress, John Lombe hired various rooms in
Derby, and particularly the Town Hall, where he erected temporary
engines turned by hand, and gave employment to a large number of
poor people.
At length, after about three years' labour, the great silk mill
was completed. It was founded upon huge piles of oak, from 16 to
20 feet long, driven into the swamp close to each other by an
engine made for the purpose. The building was five stories high,
contained eight large apartments, and had no fewer than 468
windows.
Pages:
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160