42 



Guide to Belfast. 



various blocks used as stores, offices, saleroom, etc., and 

 containing lapping and measuring machines. 



Leaving now the section known as the mill, we pass to 

 the other half of the works, which is called the factory, 

 consisting of preparing department and weaving sheds, 

 containing about i,ooo damask and plain looms. Many 

 other departments might be noted if space permitted ; but 

 the main driving-engines are of interest, as being among the 

 few large beam-engines still in use. They have been, of 

 course, modernized in various ways, and have proved them- 

 selves to be both reliable and economical. Next to the 

 engine-house is the electrical plant, obtaining its power from 

 the main shaft close by. The York Street Mill employs some 

 5,000 hands, of whom about half are women and girls, but 

 not all of these are at headquarters, for there are several 

 other establishments belonging to the firm, among them 

 being the York Road Mill, the Muckamore Bleach-works, 

 which last are most interesting, but too far from Belfast for 

 the Association to inspect. 



SHII'tlUILDING. 



The next great industry of Belfast is, of course, Ship- 

 building, carried on by two firms, Harland & Wolff, Ltd., 

 and Workman, Clark & Co., Ltd., who turn out vessels of 



