Templeton Carpet Factory Disaster

A photograph showing the western section of james templeton co s carpet factory in william street subsequently renamed templeton street in bridgeton after the disaster of 1 november 1889.

Templeton carpet factory disaster.

1 1889 high winds caused a collapse at james templeton co s carpet factory in glasgow. The story of the disaster was carved in the stone at the bottom of templeton gate during refurbishment in 2005 there were other extensions from 1920 1930 then in the 1960s but although not so ornate they were carried out in as similar a way as possible. Last month the mitchell library hosted a lecture disaster on the green by local history researcher bill black. Templeton carpet factory in 1889 29 young women lost their lives when a wall blew down in a gale at templeton carpet factory on glasgow green.

During construction of a new extension to templeton co s carpet factory at greenhead glasgow unusually high winds caused a section of the facade to collapse onto the adjoining weaving shed. At about 5 15pm that evening unusually high winds caused a large section of the new western extension to collapse into the adjoining weaving shed. The ensuing carpet firm of james templeton son was established in bridgeton in 1839. Work began in 1888 and was completed in 1892 after a major interruption caused by a terrible accident possibly caused by inadequate scaffolding and tying in of the new building with the existing one behind it.

The flamboyant glazed brick vitreous enamel tiles red brick and terracotta of the facade evokes the rich oriental influenced patterns of the carpets the factory produced. One hundred and thirty years ago 29 young women lost their lives and 32 more were injured in the templeton s carpet factory disaster the east end s worst peacetime tragedy. The story of the disaster is carved in a section of stone beneath the base of templeton gate installed during refurbishment work to the area in 2005 the building was completed in 1892 at a cost of 20 000 but restoration of the collapsed facade and weaving sheds added 3000 to the building costs. A beautiful building especially seen from the glasgow green side.

Found in the stoddard templeton corporate archive the items pictured above all relate to the templeton disaster which occured on 1 november 1889. In 1857 a new factory was built on william street later renamed templeton street. Disaster on the green.