Workington

Workington, a municipal borough and seaport of Cumberland, at the mouth of the Derwent, 7 miles N. of Whitehaven by rail. Its harbour, furnished with a breakwater (1873) and several quays, is safe and commodious; and there are nearly 100 vessels, some of them of 250 tons burden, belonging to the port. To the coal-mines in the vicinity the town chiefly owes its prosperity, great quantities of coal being exported; and there are large ironworks and other industrial establishments here. A large Sheffield steel foundry was transferred hither, on account of the cost of transit to the seaside, in 1883. The salmon-fishery near is important. Mary Queen of Scots landed here, on her flight from Langside, 16th May 1568, and was entertained at Workington Hall (the seat of the Curwens from about 1160 till the present day). Workington was incorporated by royal charter as a municipal borough in 1888. Pop. (1881) 14,109; (1891) 23,522.