Barrow ( Uzzicar ) Mine near Low Uzzicar, Derwentwater, Borrowdale

Summary

Barrow Mine is situated on the fell side west of Low Uzzicar.

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Description

An extensive and very old lead mine with workings on both sides of the Braithwaite to Buttermere road. Most of the early workings are situated on the W side of the road (NY232222), these being responsible for the huge fan of spoil sweeping down the hill side. The later workings are in the neighbourhood of Uzzicar on the E side of the road (NY234217). Mining ceased in 1889.


Mining Details: The Barrow Lode courses approximately 20 degrees W of N and is believed to be part of one large vein, the Yewthwaite and Thornthwaite Lodes being other. At the mine the vein is divided into two parallel branches roughly 17 fathoms apart. The W branch, or Sand Vein, is almost perpendicular, whereas the E, or main branch, hades slightly to the E. The Sand Vein contained a great quantity of friable quartz and was most dangerous to work since, if great care was not taken, the quartz would indeed flow like sand, filling up the workings within a few minutes. The main vein was much more solid. The predominant ore was argenti-ferous galena with subsidiary amounts of blende, cerussite, pyromorphite and iron pyrite. The mine was a wet one, presumably as a result of the particularly permeable nature of the vein-stuff.


History: The earliest document relating to this mine is a letter (Adams, J. 1988, 41) from mining engineer David Davies to Prince Charles, Duke of Somerset. Davies was involved in mining activities throughout the Derwent Fell (1680s) and took a particular interest in Goldscope and Barrow. Various people held and worked the mine during the 18th century but no really informative details are available. During the 1830s Barrow was leased by John Tebay who had an interest in most of the Derwent mines but the dilapidated state in which it was found seems to have discouraged him from doing anything with it. In 1847 it was acquired by the Keswick Mining Company which worked most of the mines in the area. Levels 2 and 4 were re-opened and by 1854 these were fully cleared and timbered. From 1854 to 1857 a total of 300 tons of ore was extracted which in turn yielded 1,700ozs of silver, but this was from old ground left by the ancients. By 1858 all easily accessible ore had been removed and the decision had to be taken wether to abandon the mine or sink capital into exploration. The company, which in any case had financial problems, opted for the former and the mine was closed. The mine was taken in 1870 by Messrs H.K. Spark and B. Plunner, who over the next three years did some prospecting and extended the number 3 level. Nothing, as always, came of their efforts and the miners were transferred to Yewthwaite, another of their mines. In 1883, Henry Vercoe formed the Barrow Mining Company and sank a shaft at the base of the mountain. By 1886 the workings were 30 fathoms down and a 60ft, 75hp water-wheel had been erected for dressing and pumping. This wheel must have been quite something to see. In 1887 the company was in liquidation and the lease assigned to a newly-formed partnership called the Braithwaite Mining Company. The new company took the shaft to 42 fathoms, but in 1889 it too was in liquidation. During the period 1886 to 1888 only 210 tons of lead ore and 21 tons of blende were raised. On the 2nd January 1896 all the plant and machinery was sold (Adams, J. 1988).

The ancient excavations in this mine probably gave profitable employment to many generations of miners, extending over a period of between 300 and 400 years (Postelthwaite, J. 1983, pages 88-90). Also called Uzzicar Mine.

(Northern Archaeological Associates 2020)
Some recent land slippage. There is a possible barrow at NGR: 323492 521528, just outside of the survey area to the south-west of Uzzicar Farm.

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