Clydach Ironworks
Clydach Ironworks, near Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
Established in the 1790s with coke-fired blast furnaces
1793 & 97 Two square blast furnaces were constructed
1820 Advert: 'To Smiths, Dealers in Iron, &c.
Edward Frere and Co. of the Clydach Iron Works, respectfully inform the Public that they have established a Depot for the sale of IRON of every description, in the City of Oxford, and have appointed Mr. EDWARDS, the firm of BROWN and HOWARDS, their sole Agent for the City and Vicinity of Oxford ; who has been in the constant habit of vending, as well using it in large quantities for the last Eighteen Years.
N.B. A trial will prove its superior quality.
Premises wanted for an Iron Warehouse, near the bottom of the High-street.'[1]
1826 A third circular furnace was constructed
1830 Frere and Co operated 3 blast furnaces.
1833 Partnership dissolved: Edward Frere and John Powell, ironmasters, Clydach Iron Works, Breconshire, 17th Jan. 1832 — Debts J. Powell [2]
1839 'MINING. THE IRON TRADE, [From the Mining Journal.] The following paper, on the state and prospects of the iron trade in Scotland and South Wales, in May, 1839, was read before the Liverpool Polytechnic Society, on the 13th June, by Joseph Johnson, Esq., iron merchant, Liverpool; Henry Booth, Esq., President, in the chair. ..... we reach the works of the Clydach Iron Co., at Llanelly. Here are four furnaces at work, and all blown with cold air. They produce about 320 tons of pig iron per week, from which they make about 230 tons of bars, &c., and the remainder is run into castings and ballast iron. The Nantyglo Works are the next we arrive at ....'[3]
By 1841 the works employed over 1,350 men
1842 A fourth furnace was constructed.
1869 Joshua Llewelyn Morgan became manager of the works
1877 production ceased.
In 1986 the site was excavated and partially restored but it was subsequently abandoned. The exposed remains include three furnaces and one charging house, together with the pit for a 12.8m (42ft) diameter cast-iron water-wheel. The air blast for the original furnaces 1 and 2 was provided by the waterwheel; air for furnaces 3 and 4 being provided by a steam engine. [4]
The ruined remains have been stabilised and made accessible to visitors [5] [6]
The site is accessed by Smart's Bridge, spanning the Clydach River, which is a cast-iron structure of lancet tracery dated 1824.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Oxford University and City Herald, 10 June 1820
- ↑ Perry's Bankrupt Gazette - Saturday 21 December 1833
- ↑ Monmouthshire Merlin - Saturday 13 July 1839
- ↑ Source: A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of South East Wales, AIA, 2003 Claire Parry, RCAHMW, 15 July 2011.
- ↑ [1] Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust: Clydach Gorge webpage
- ↑ [2] Brecon Beacons National Park webpage with information about access and parking
- [3] Coflein