At Snailbeach, even building the smelt works chimney on the hillside did
not clear the smoke over the top of the Stiperstones. The Snailbeach Mine
Co. Ltd. took the lease of Lordshill farm to stop the tenant taking action
over the loss of livestock. The farm was roughly in the direction of the
prevailing wind.
The chimney collapsed in the mid-1880s and Dennis would not resume smelting
until it was rebuilt - he told the captains that the fumes would kill the
young trees.
There might be some evidence of action for the death of horses grazing on
land close to the spoil heaps but it appears the case was not proved. The
plaintiff was given some cash but told that the Co. was not admitting
liability.
A farmer several miles downstream tried to take action for loss of
livestock, but went quiet when told that plenty of fish were living in the
waterways.
For the effects in urban areas, I would refer them to the dissertation by
Janet Hordley on Burr Brothers' lead works business in Shrewsbury (U of
Brimingham 2000). It also talks about conditions around lead works in
London and various Acts of Parliament.
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