Harrington, 1811

HARRINGTON is a small port or creek, containing about 1000 inhabitants. The harbour has been recently much improved. It stands low, close to the shore, at the mouth of a small brook, and is surrounded with high, naked grounds on every side. Nearly 60 vessels, of 100 tons burden each upon an average, be long to this little port ; which are chiefly employed in exporting lime and coal to Ireland and Scotland. The vessels come quite into the town, and anchor very conveniently and snugly before the houses.

The ground on which the town is built, as well as that which surrounds it , is the property of J. C. Curwen, Esq. The church is an ancient, but neat edifice; and there is a handsome house for the incumbent; the former has recently been much enlarged, and a considerable portion of it left unappropriated.

This place is very flourishing, and amongst a number of buildings which are erecting, we must not omit to mention a new school-house, under the patronage of J.C. Curwen, Esq. for the instruction of children, On the same plan as the Workington school. There are also here two yards for ship-building. The old part of Harrington consists of a few small farms straggling up the dell; and a little village, well built, and pleasantly seated on the top of the bank.

Beside the coal and lime got in this neighbourhood , iron-stone , of excellent quality, is got above the seams of coal; of which 2000 tons are annually exported to various works in Scotland and Wales. Iron-clay is also obtained, in large quantities , of which about 500 tons are annually shipped . There is also here a copperas work carried on by Mr. R. Dalton, of Liverpool.