237 
inclined to believe that the ultimate failure of the enterprise was 
occasioned by the uncertainty of the water supply, as may be 
inferred from the Netherhall documents. 
Nevertheless, at one time the furnace appears to have been 
worked with some degree of success ; for it is stated in the History 
and Antiquities of Cumberland, by Joseph Nicolson and Richard 
Burn, published 1777, page 162, “ ao hes a furnace for casting 
iron-ware, which carries on a considerable trade.” 
The coke was no doubt made in the adjacent ovens from coal 
raised at the neighbouring colleries, at ‘“‘The Gill” and “Senhouse 
Moor,” in the vicinity of Mr. Boyd’s new house. 
I have discovered no evidence of the smelting being effected 
with charcoal. 
In the agreement of January, 1784, it is stated that there 
was at the works iron ore from Whitrigg, Crossgates, Inmangill, 
and Whitehaven. I have heard it stated that ore was carried to the 
works on ponies’ backs ; this, however, is doubtful. I believe that 
the principal part was brought in small craft by sea, and taken at 
flood-tide up the river and discharged close to the works, and that, 
by similar means, iron was shipped to coast towns, and probably to 
Treland. 
My venerable neighbour, Captain Benn, informed me lately 
that the grandfather of his son-in-law, Robert Brown, brought iron 
stone from Palnackie (Water of Urr), Kirkcudbrightshire, in a very 
little vessel, which went up the Ellen close to the works to 
discharge. 
About fifteen years ago, I called the attention of the late Mr. 
Senhouse to an old pig of iron which I observed to be fixed as the 
sill of an opening into the old furnace yard. Shortly afterwards 
it was removed to Netherhall. On the pig were cast the letters 
H.S., 1769. The iron which had set in the furnace bottom when 
the works were stopped, lies like a huge meteor at the angle of 
the wall near to the Furnace Mill. The ground near the furnace 
contains a quantity of slag. 
Mr. Barwise (Clerk of the Trustee Board), informs me that 
his father, who rented from Mr, Senhouse the adjoining field, knew 
