Bowthorn Colliery
Coal mine at Cleator Moor, Cumberland.
Bowthorn Colliery (a Lonsdale Royalty) was worked by John Litt and Co, from 1802 until 1815, when it was laid in.[1]
In about 1858 the lease of the colliery was taken by those involved with the Whitehaven Hematite Iron Company and in due course, during the 1860s, became part of that company's operation, though the exact chronology is difficult to pin down.
1880 Parent company restructured, becoming Whitehaven Hematite Iron and Steel Co.
1888 Parent company restructured again. The colliery lease was transferred to a new company of the same name. See Whitehaven Hematite Iron and Steel Co.
1891 Parent company report stated that £20,000 had been spent on the colliery, including building coke ovens, sinking 2 shafts and putting down new machinery. [2]
1891 Mr James Ramsey, lately manager at Whitehaven Colliery Co., appointed manager of Bowthorn Colliery, succeeding Robert Fisher, who had obtained a post in Borneo.[3]
1893 In the 1890s this colliery was in difficulties, with only poorer quality coal remaining. At the same time, demand for iron was slack and the owners closed down their blast furnaces. The owners attempted to reduce pay to enable them to sell coal on the open market, but the resulting strike closed the mine on 18 Mar 1893. The cost to the owners and the employees was considerable. [4] It was to be August before a settlement was reached and work resumed at the colliery.[5]
1894 James Ramsey resigned his position as manager. [6] He was succeeded by Mr Robert Wilson from Coatbridge.
1894 With trade very slack, the company sought to reduce wages further, but the proposal was rejected by the employees, resulting in closure of the pit.[7]
1895 January - Colliery permanently closed down. The principle seams had been worked out and the six quarters seam had proved unprofitable. Machinery removed. [8] All the plant, including winding, hauling and pumping engines, Guibal Fan, etc. was offered for sale in April. [9]
Abandonment plans (undated) are held in Cumbria Archives, ref: TNCB/BCC/AMP/18. Description: Bowthorn - Four Feet workings; Five Feet Workings; Bannock Band Workings; Main Band; Little Main; Six Quarter Workings. Lindow Pit - section of strata; section from Whinny Hill No 2 Pit through Hope Pit and NE through Lindow Pit and Dub Beck
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ West Cumberland Coal 1600 -1982/3 by Oliver Wood (1988) and Cumbria Archives Ref D/LONS/W - John Peile to Lords Lonsdale 28 Apr 1834
- ↑ Carlisle Patriot - 29 May 1891
- ↑ Whitehaven News - 13 Aug 1891 and Whitehaven News -11 Feb 1892
- ↑ Whitehaven Advertiser - 25 Mar 1893
- ↑ Whitehaven News - 17 Aug 1893
- ↑ Cumberland Pacquet and Ware's Whitehaven Advertiser - 14 Apr 1894
- ↑ Maryport Advertiser - 20 Oct 1894
- ↑ Cumberland Pacquet and Ware's Whitehaven Advertiser - 17 Jan 1895
- ↑ West Cumberland Times - 6 Apr 1895