Home | Articles | Documents | Events | Sources Annapolis Iron Mining Companyby Abraham Gesner, 1849 In 1826 an association was formed, called the Annapolis Iron Mining Company, and sufficient capital was raised in the Province to commence and carry on the work. All the lands containing iron ore at Moose River, Nictau, and Digby Neck, were purchased, together with several farms, mill-sites, carriage-ways, and every privilege that might be required for the most extensive operations. A large tract of wild land was obtained from the Government, to supply wood for charcoal. A dam was thrown across the river ; furnaces for smelting and casting were erected, and the whole put in the best order. The whole expense of the establishment, when completed, was £30,000 currency. The smelting, casting, and manufacture of iron, commenced under the most favorable auspices, and both the ore and the iron produced from ii proved to be unexceptionable. Although a due regard to economy had not been practised from the commencement of the undertaking, the enterprise promised success, and the Province began to feel the benefits of home manufacture. At a period when the establishment was in active operation, the whole work was suddenly abandoned;-the fires of the furnaces were, extinguished-the trip hammers ceased to move, and the pretty village of Moose River was deserted by all its inhabitants, except such as were engaged in fishing and agriculture. The charge of the iron works was committed into the hands of persons belonging to the United States, the principal of whom was an ironfounder in Boston, who maintained that pig iron only should be made,-that pig iron was to be sent to the United States, and there manufactured, and then returned to the British Provinces for sale, whereby the profits would fall into the hands of the American share-holders. Dissensions soon took place. It has been publicly stated, that the principal furnace was intentionally choked, and the enterprize was abandoned. [SOURCE: Gesner, 1849:255-256]
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