David Davies (1818–1890), industrialist and politician, Coal owner and railway contractor
1846 Contractor who built the approach roads to Llandinam Bridge.
This led to contracts for other bridges and roads.
1855 Built the first section of the Llanidloes–Newtown railway line, and later extended his operations all over Wales.
By the early 1860s he had supplied much of mid-Wales with a network of railway lines, many of which he built in partnership with Thomas Savin, with whom he later fell out.
1862 he travelled to the island of Sardinia to advise on developing the railway system there.
1864 He took a lease of mineral property between Tonpentre and Treorci in the upper Rhondda valley, not hitherto a coal-producing area.
After two years of anxiety for Davies, one of the finest seams of steam coal in the world was struck in the Maendy pit, Cwmparc.
1867 Set up the Ocean Collieries Company to exploit the discovery
1870 Sank a new pit at Dare
1877 Sank another pit at Bwllfa.
1887 Registered the Ocean Coal Company was registered as a limited liability company
See Also
Sources of Information
- Biography of David Davies, ODNB