Dunston and Barlow Co
1858 The Fowlers of Whittington started the Dunston and Barlow Mineral Company in response to the increased demand for iron products. They were backed by Arthur Sankey a London financier and took over existing mines in Barlow and Dunston that held leases from the Dukes of Rutland and Devonshire and several other private coal owners.
By 1864 producing 600 tons of coal and iron a day from three collieries in Whittington and Barlow. Some of this coal was fed into 23 coke ovens and, with mineral won from 28 ironstone mines (and limestone fed through a calcining plant), supplied the company’s iron works which consisted of four blast furnaces and a sizeable foundry and mechanics shop.
After the 1862 Companies Act allowed limited liability for investors in industrial activities, David Chadwick, a Manchester accountant in private practice joined with H. D. Pochin (the owner of a considerable chemical business) to float a series of new companies taking over existing smaller companies and boosting their capital.
Chadwick and Pochin had already floated the new Staveley Coal and Iron Co and then turned their attention to the Dunston and Barlow Mineral Company.
Agreement was reached with William Fowler, who continued as Chairman, for the formation of a new company: Sheepbridge Coal and Iron Company. It started to trade in July 1864. The floatation attracted 62 shareholders with a number of well-known business men as directors including John Brown, the iron and engineering entrepreneur of Sheffield, Arthur Hankey, Benjamin Whitworth M.P., James Holden and H. D. Pochin.
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] Nedias newsletter 79b