Crossgill Iron Ore Co

Hematite mine at Frizington, Cumberland.

Crossgill (sometimes Cross Gill) mine was located on the North side of the Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont (Extension) Railway, to the North East of Frizington Station.

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1855 21 year lease of Royalty commenced 2 Dec 1855. We can demonstrate that by 1860 the leaseholder was Samuel Wagstaff Smith. He was a native of Sedgley, Staffs., where, in 1851, he was a coal merchant. From 1855 and into the 1860s Smith owned the High House iron ore mine neighbouring Crossgill at Frizington and from 1856 he owned the Seaton Iron Works (Workington). However, Crossgill is not included at all in any of the 1850s listings so we cannot say whether Smith held the lease from 1855 - though a report in 1872 said that he did.
In the 1861 Census, Smith lived in Northampton and was described as a hematite iron ore proprietor employing 150 men. He does not appear to have been connected to Cumberland, so how he came to acquire mines and an iron works there is not apparent.

1876 Royalty of Crossgill hematite iron ore mines offered to let, with only 1 year remaining on 21 year lease. However, Mineral Stats of UK shows that S W Smith continued to own the Royalty.

1880 Crossgill owner Samuel W Smith. Raised 16,237 tons of ore.

1881 Crossgill mine owned by the Maryport Hematite Iron Co. In the 1881 Census S W Smith is shown as a retired iron and coal master, living in Brighton, so we can assume that he sold all his mining interests in about 1880.

1882 Maryport Hematite Iron Co declared bankrupt in December. Amongst their assets was Crossgill iron ore mine which, it was argued, was of no value as it was unprofitable. It is still shown in their ownership in 1883.

1884 Crossgill mine owned by Crossgill Iron Ore Company. At this stage, this was a partnership between Joseph Charters Brown, William Burnyeat jr., William Dalzell and John Moore

1887 Crossgill Iron Ore Company Limited (Company number 24582) was incorporated 28 May 1887. To acquire from J C Brown, W Burnyeat jr, W Dalzell and J Moore iron ore mines at Crossgill, Frizington. Capital £30,000 in 300 shares of £100. Initial subscribers John Vivian, William Burnyeat jr., John Moore, William Dalzell and several other local businessmen. The initial directors included, John Vivian and William Burnyeat jr.

1887 The new company was soon at work developing the mine, as described in the report below from Whitehaven News - 17 Nov 1887:-

The Crossgill Mining (New) Company
This Company, which came into possession of the royalty last May, when they pulled down the old engine, and pit head, and filled up the shaft to re-commence anew, are now making good progress. The old shaft, which was about 70 fathoms deep, has been —or will be by the end of the week—re-sunk to its original depth, and then another depth of about 37 fathoms will have to be sunk in sound ground to get to the level of the "dip workings" away to the western side of the mine. The shaft will then be over one hundred fathoms deep, by 15 feet 2 inches lengthways, by 7 feet across, divided into three compartments for pumps and cages, the side and end timbers being of 6 inch pitch-pine. The winding engines, which are of the double horizontal kind, with 25-inch cylinders, with the now almost universal "link" reversing gear, and through piston rods, have a 11 feet 2 inches drum for the ropes, with powerful brake, and indicator working direct from the crank end. These are erected on two massive stone pillars, 35ft. long by 5ft. 6in. wide by 8ft. high. The maker is Mr. D. Leigh, of Patricroft, Lancashire, and the boilers—two in number—are of the double furnace, with return flues, are each 30ft, long by 7ft. diameter, and are made by Mr. Benjamin Hick, of Bolton, Lancashire. The feeds, which is taken from a large boiler tank, supplied with Cogra water, and forced by a powerful "donkey pump," has to pass through a heating apparatus of a novel construction, designed by Messrs Walker and Peile, the engineers to the Company, and also Mr WM. Cook, engineer. The managing partner of the new firm is Mr Vivian, of the Diamond Boring Company, and of St. Bees, and the pit overman is Mr Thos. McManus, of Yeathouse-road, Frizington. The chimney-stalk, which is of second firebrick, and of a height of about 60ft., is of symmetrical proportions, nicely corniced at the top and fit up with a lightning conductor, was built by Mr Geo. Davidson, of Trumpet-road, Cleator Moor.

1888 The earlier partnership between J C Brown, W Burnyeat jr, W Dalzell and J Moore trading as Crossgill Iron Ore Company was dissolved on 1 Jan 1888.

1890 Raised 11,006 tons of ore.

1893 At an EGM of the Crossgill Iron Ore Company Limited on 16 Mar 1893 it was resolved “That it has been proved, to the satisfaction of this Meeting that the Company cannot, by reason of its liabilities, continue its business, and that it is advisable to wind up the same, and accordingly that the same be wound up voluntarily.” An auction of all the machinery and other belongings of the company was held on the premises on 25 Oct 1893.

1893 Crossgill Royalty was taken over by Parkside Mining Company (who already worked in the same body of ore).

1920 The Parkside and Birks Mining Company Limited was incorporated and took over the properties of The Parkside Mining Company.

1924 The mine closed, the last working mine in the district.

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