R. Smith wrote>
> Mike and Peter have said that the German
> mining venture was an 'economic
> disaster' and that is certainly a view which has
> always prevailed.
I have followed the debate on German miners with considerable interest,
especially in view of my request to the list for information regarding
Jochamin Hochstetter, the father of Daniel who played such a large part in
the Keswick scene.
A list member suggested the book 'Elizabethan Copper' the history of The
Company of Mines Royal 1568 - 1605 by Donald, M.B. published in 1955 by
Pergamon Press, London.
What a fastinating read this has been providing 21 interest packed pages on
the Cumberland mines. Also 3 chapters on production, cost accounting,
finance and decline of Keswick. The chapter on smelting techniques alone has
offered me much greater insight into the extraordinary complexities of
smelting at that time. I am amazed that they made any money at all.
There are suggestions to confirm the thoughts of R Smith. Not so much an
'economic disaster', more a 'trial by fire'!
Kindest regards,
Trevor.
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