Henry Bessemer is best known for devising a steel production process that inspired the Industrial Revolution. It was the first cost-efficient industrial process for large scale production of steel from molten pig iron by taking out impurities using . . . — — Map (db m276731) HM
At its peak, the coal industry was one of the most important industries in the UK. Coal was Britain's lifeblood and in the 18th and 19th centuries it became the engine of the modern, industrialised world. However, the growing international . . . — — Map (db m279307) HM
Who Was Helena Thompson?
Helena began working to improve the lives of the poor and in 1879, together with her sister Connie, attended a series of 12 cookery lessons where they were taught how to make large quantities of food. By 1885 she was . . . — — Map (db m275266) HM
The Whitehaven Junction Railway Company opened their line for goods traffic from Maryport to Workington in November 1845. At first little consideration was given to passenger traffic and so no station buildings were provided. Tenders for the . . . — — Map (db m275165) HM
James Alexander Glenn was born in Workington on 5th January 1881. It is believed he changed his surname to his mother's maiden name of 'Smith' to join the 3rd Militia Battalion when he was only 13 years old.
In 1914 he enlisted in the 3rd . . . — — Map (db m279452) HM
A Typical Miner's Day
The miner reports for work and will collect a token which he puts around his neck as identification in case of an accident. He then collects his safety lamp. The 500ft journey down the mine by a cage has taken him only a . . . — — Map (db m279310) HM
Coal mining in West Cumbria began in the 13th century when the monks from St Bees Abbey supervised the opening of coal mines at Arrowthwaite near Kells.
1604
The Lord of the Manor of Workington, Henry Curwen, started exploiting coal . . . — — Map (db m279300) HM
West Cumbria was blessed with substantial deposits of coal, limestone and iron ore - all essential raw materials for the production of iron and steel. The availability of these materials led to the development of the iron and steel industry in West . . . — — Map (db m279313) HM
Today it is hard to imagine that iron and steelmaking in Workington employed thousands and produced world beating rails that circumnavigated the globe.
Few traces of the existence of this once proud industry remain on the ground today. Perhaps . . . — — Map (db m276721) HM
Soaking Pit
This is the stripper crane removing the mould from the ingot during the Bessemer steelmaking period. Ingots were soaked for several hours in gas feed pits to equalise the temperature. All of this was replaced by a gas fired waking . . . — — Map (db m279449) HM
The men and women of Workington have contributed towards a truly global impact since steel rails were first rolled in Workington at the West Cumberland Hematite Iron & Steel Company in November 1872!
At the time, developing countries all over . . . — — Map (db m276280) HM
The West Cumbrian town of Workington is steeped with a remarkable industrial history that has almost been forgotten. The Moss Bay Steelworks was once proudly responsible for the production of vast quantities of steel rails which were shipped to . . . — — Map (db m279453) HM
Dignitaries
On 17th May 1917 King George V and Queen Mary paid a visit to Workington's iron and steel plant to see the pioneering work being carried out during the period of World War I.
Military steel was traditionally made in and . . . — — Map (db m274291) HM
Employing Women
As more men journeyed to the battlefront, the country needed to fill critical jobs with new recruits. The employment of women became vital to ensuring Great Britain continued to thrive. Nationally, by 1942, nine out of every . . . — — Map (db m274379) HM
Situated at the mouth of the River Derwent, Workington has a wealth of evidence of sailing vessels being loaded with coal for shipment to Ireland as far back as the 1700s. The earliest facilities have been found in the area known as Merchants Quay . . . — — Map (db m276281) HM
The Moss Bay Works wasn't just another track producer, it was a world leader outshining European rivals. In its final 30 years, Workington was the sole UK producer of track products. This is a look into the steel making process that took place at . . . — — Map (db m279298) HM
Parts of this beautiful ancient building have been on this site since 1362, during the reign of King Edward III. On the plan to the right, the building indicated in black shows the first Pele Tower built by Sir Gilbert de Culwen III.
The Pele . . . — — Map (db m275163) HM
History
Curwen Park and the surrounding parklands were home to the Curwen family until 1929 and were given to Workington in the late 1940s.
The park is rich in history - Mary Queen of Scots is believed to have stayed with the Curwens in . . . — — Map (db m276286) HM
1856
The opening of the Workington Hematite Company's ironworks north of the town heralded the expansion of the iron and steel industry and a major growth in employment population.
1872
Mossbay Hematite Iron & Steel Company . . . — — Map (db m279446) HM
Workington formerly had three stations - Workington Central (closed in 1931), Workington Bridge (closed in 1951) and Workington Main (or Low). Today, only the Workington Main station is used.
The goods lines were used to supply materials to . . . — — Map (db m279455) HM
1846
The station opens to passenger services provided by the Whitehaven Junction Railway on 19th January. This was the first of four railway stations to serve Workington.
1866
The Whitehaven Junction and Cockermouth and Workington . . . — — Map (db m279312) HM
