Mowbray Iron Ore Company

Haematite iron ore mine, Frizington, Cumberland. Office in Whitehaven, Cumberland.

The Mowbray Estate belonged to the Baker family. The beginnings of this enterprise would need further research using the resources held in Cumbria Archives. There is mention of an iron ore sample from a drilling on the Mowbray Estate in 1842 and leases of royalties from 1849. . However, Kelly’s Directory of 1858 makes no mention of mining in Frizington.

1863 Gibson, Massicks and Co. “met with a considerable body of fine Hemetite ore in their Mowbray Royalty at Frizington. Thomas Massicks (1832-1908), who appears to have been senior partner, was Receiver of Harbour Dues in Whitehaven, but controversially had many other interests, including Frizington Coal Company (Massicks, Gibson, Tyson and Co), Frizington Iron Ore Company (Massicks, Gibson, Tyson and Co), Mowbray Iron Ore Company (Massicks, Gibson, Furness and Co), Eskett (Jackson’s) Iron Ore Company (Massicks, Steward, Brown, Bardett and Co), Langdale Pike Iron Ore Company (Massicks, Gibson, Furness and Co). Thomas Massicks (later Thomas Barlow-Massicks) went on to be managing director of the Millom and Askham Hematite Iron Company. The other partners were Robert Gibson (believed to be former owner of the Cumberland Pacquet) and William Furness.

1864 New shaft being sunk by Mowbray Iron Ore Company. There is a surviving letter from Thomas Massicks to William Furness dated 12 Oct 1864 with positive news from shaft at Mowbray with ore found. It also comments on Mr Gibson's jaundiced view of operations.

1866 Despatched the first trainload of iron ore on the newly opened Marron Extension of the Whitehaven Cleator and Egremont Railway.

1866 12 May, death of Isaac Massicks, manager of the company, (and brother of the above Thomas Massicks) aged 36.

1866 Thomas Massicks executed a debtor’s deed of assignment in June, Robert Gibson and James Robertson (who became company secretary) being two of the trustees.

1866 “Following the death of one of the partners”, the mine, with all its royalties and equipment was offered for sale. Royalties held under 21 year leases dated 1 Jul 1861 and 1 Aug 1862 and the mine stated to be in full working operation. Mowbray Iron Ore Company, 13 Lowther Street, Whitehaven. The partner concerned was William Furness JP of Seascale Hall (lately of Wasdale Hall), who died intestate 26 Mar 1866</Ref>

1869 Notwithstanding the above reports, in 1869, the company were reported, after several years of boring, to have "struck the ore vein they had been seeking". So whether the company was sold or restructured is not clear.

1871 Three sixteenth part shares in the company offered for sale by James Robertson (apparently on behalf of the company rather than personally). A plan showing the extent of the royalty at this time (some 60 acres) can be seen at this link.

1872 Mowbray Iron Ore Company Limited registered with capital of £20,000 in £20 shares. Company No 5993. Note, the company records are held in the National Archives, Kew, Ref BT 31/1683/5993 and BT 34/90/5993.

1873 Directory entry - Mowbray Iron Ore Company, 33 Queen Street, Whitehaven. Secretary James Robertson (elsewhere described as manager).

1883 Directory entry –Mowbray Iron Ore Company Limited, Mowbray No 1 Pit, Frizington; 39 Lowther Street, Whitehaven, Louis Murray secretary.

1888 Capital of the Mowbray Iron Ore Company Limited reduced from £60,000 to £30,000.. Of 39 New Lowther Street, Whitehaven.

1894 Directory entry - Mowbray Iron Ore Company Limited, 39 Lowther Street, Whitehaven, Louis Murray secretary.

1894 “At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Members of the above Company, duly convened, and held at the registered office of the Company, 39, Lowther-street, Whitehaven, on the 27th day of September, 1894, the following Extraordinary Resolutions were duly passed :— 1. 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 it be wound up voluntarily. 2. That Andrew Reed, Chartered Accountant, Whitehaven, be and hereby is appointed Liquidator for the purpose of carrying out the foregoing Resolution. John Hannay Watson, Chairman”.

1895 The unexpired portions of the leases were offered for sale by the liquidator, comprising the Mowbray Royalty, 47 acres, 9 years remaining, and Landshaw Royalty, 9½ acres, 15 years remaining.

1895 The plant, equipment and machinery was bought by the Lowca Engineering Company, who then offered it all for sale by private treaty.

1897 Winding up was completed.

1898 Lease on iron ore mines at Mowbray taken by the Workington Iron and Steel Co, transferring to Cammell, Laird and Co in 1907, then to United Steel Companies who surrendered the lease in 1922.