Barrow Hematite Steel Company (1859 - 1963)

The Barrow Hematite Steel Company Ltd was a major iron and steel producer based in Barrow-in-Furness, which operated between 1859 and 1963. It played an important role in the development and growth of Barrow. The company was founded by Henry William Schneider, who had arrived in Furness in 1839. Schneider was a mine owner and he was also one of founders of the Furness Railway in 1846. The railway was initially set up to transport iron ore and slate from local mines to the coast for shipping. Then more extensive hematite (iron ore) deposits were discovered in the area (including the Park iron ore deposit in 1849, near Dalton-in-Furness). Schneider's mining business became Schneider, Hannay & Co. in 1852. In 1858, Schneider, Hannay and Co. bought land from the Furness Railway at Hindpool, on which new furnaces were built in 1859. The company was renamed the Barrow Hematite Steel Company in 1865. By the start of the 20th century, the site at Hindpool had become one of the largest steel mills in the world. As well as exporting its produce, steel from the company was also used locally for ship-building, including by the Barrow Shipbuilding Company (which later became Vickers, VSEL and then finally part of todays BAE).