1. New Lanark UNESCO World Heritage Site. 2. Historic Lanarkshire: New Lanark. 3. New Lanark Animation. 4. Map of New Lanark Village. 5. New Lanark Timeline. 6 New Lanark Timeline. 7. New Lanark Information. 8. New Lanark Background. In the year 1784, a wealthy Scottish businessman called David Dale came to see the Falls of Clyde near the town of Lanark. He brought with him Richard Arkwright, who was a clever inventor. Together they decided that this would be a great place to build a cotton-spinning mill. They knew that the fast-flowing water of the River Clyde could turn water-wheels and power the machinery in the mills. They built New Lanark Cotton Mills and Village on the banks of the river. Richard Arkwright trained men to make the machines he had invented, and showed them how they worked. David Dale got together a team of men to build the mills, the water-power system and houses for the workers.
Raw cotton was brought in ships across the Atlantic from hot areas like the Southern States of America to Glasgow or Greenock, then by horse-drawn wagons to New Lanark. Children, men and women all worked long hours in David Dale's noisy, dusty mills. Around one-third of Mr Dale's workforce were pauper apprentices.
New Lanark Census. Child Labour - some questions and activities. The Children Who Built Victorian Britain Part 1. Mary and the Miners. Against Child Labour. In support of Child Labour. Children in the Industrial Revolution. For one or two minutes think about your lifestyle now. Make a few notes at the back of your exercise book about what you do now, how you spend your time, what you eat etc. Think about the number of times you have moaned about coming to school !! You are probably unaware but there are many laws that are directly linked to children your age.
Not so much about what you can do but what you are not allowed to do. For example, did you know that children are not allowed down coal mines ? Did you know that you are only allowed to work for a certain number of hours per week at a certain age ? Why were these laws brought in ? All the following passages are primary source evidence. Child Labour at New Lanark.
All in a Days Work. Working Conditions. Source Study - working at New Lanark. Technology of Watermill. Map Study.