Lancashire Museums

PEACE

What or who is peace?

PEACE is a 500 horse power tandem compound steam engine constructed by Wm. Roberts Ltd. of Nelson.

What does horsepower mean?

It's a unit of power (equivalent to 745.7 watts) used to measure the power of an engine.

How did Peace get her name?

Originally the engine was named Prudence after Prudence Atkinson, the first Engineers wife, who was also a weaver at Queen Street Mill. It was named PEACE at the end of World War 1 as a mark of respect to all of the soldiers, many of them from northern textile towns, who did not return home.

What was the role of Peace?

To provide energy to power the looms. At its peak, the engine would have provided enough energy to drive 1138 looms in the weaving shed, as well as other machinery around the mill.

How does the engine run?

Peace is powered by the Lancashire Boilers

Has the engine ever broken down?

The engine had to be kept in very good condition. If it broke down no one could work or get paid, so the job of the engine man was very important. The engine was stopped for 10 days in 1918 when a serious fire occurred at Queen Street Mill. Originally there was a lower ceiling in the engine house which formed the floor of a preparation room above. The fire burned through this and machinery crashed down onto the engine causing damage. The engine was back up and running 10 days later.

When can I see Peace running ?

Whenever we are open. You can see her in action between 12.45 & 13.30, 14.15 & 15.00 and 15.45 to 16.30.