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Annapolis Iron Mining Company

By Thomas C. Haliburton, 1829

On the eastern side of [Moose] river, where it ceases to be navigable, is a furnace for smelting iron ore. It had long been known that iron ore existed in this county in great abundance, but with the exception of an ill directed effort many years ago at Nictau, no attempt had been made to manufacture it. In the year 1825 an association was formed for this purpose, "called the Annapolis Iron Mining Company," the capital of which was divided into one hundred shares, of one hundred pounds each. An act of incorporation was passed by the Legislature, and the Governor was authorised to grant to the company, a charter under the great seal of the Province. It was also protected by a clause of the act which provided that no Stockholder should be liable for any debts contracted by the company, beyond the amount of his shares. As a further encouragement, two bounties of Ł600 each, were offered for the manufacture of a certain quantity of hollow ware and bar iron. The associates immediately purchased an extensive and valuable vein of ore, situated about three miles and a half from the mouth of Moose river, and another of equal importance at Nictau in the upper part of Annapolis township, with one or two of smaller extent in other places. The local situation of the former place, gave it a decided superiority over any other part of the county, being distant only eight miles from Annapolis, twelve from Digby, and fifty from St. John, New-Brunswick, accessible by water, and affording good anchorage. They therefore selected the eastern bank of the mouth of the river, as the site of their buildings, and erected a large smelting furnace, stock house, coal houses, stores, &c. The extensive forest at the head of the river supplies them with an abundance of charcoal. They have already manufactured a quantity of hollow ware of very superior quality, and are now engaged in laying the foundation of forges for making bar iron. To carry these objects into effect, they have increased their capital to more than twice its original amount. The quality of the ore has now been fully ascertained, and the only part of the experiment yet to be decided, is whether they can compete with the English ware, or whether the cost of production will not exceed the value of the article when manufactured, a result which must very much depend upon the economy and skill, with which the establishment is managed. A large and handsome stone bridge has lately been built across the river, at the joint expense of the Company and the Province, and forms at once an excellent road and a substantial dam, for the reservoir of water necessary for the supply of the machinery of the manufactory.

SOURCE: Haliburton, 1829:163-164

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