Copperopolis: Swansea Copperworks

Pen and ink drawing of the elevation of Swansea Copperworks. Fig 619 from Tomlinson's 'Cyclopedia of Useful Arts, Manufacturing, Mining and Engineering' Vol 1, 1854.
Copyright reserved: Contact RCAHMW for details


Swansea University has recently announced a new project to celebrate one of Swansea's famous copperworks. Hafod Copperworks was one of the largest in Swansea and only closed in 1980. Significant remains still stand and the project plans to involve the local community in activities and exhibitions and to produce computer generated animations, bringing the copperworks "back to life".

The history of Swansea as the centre of the copper-smelting industry and its significance in the national and international context of the industrial revolution are explored in the Royal Commission's publication: Copperopolis.

Visit the Swansea University website to read about the project in more detail

Cadw Grant For Restoration of Melingriffith Waterwheel & Pump

Cadw and Cardiff City council have agreed to award a grant of over £100,000 to restore the Melingriffith water wheel, which was originally used to power a water pump feeding waste water from the Melingriffith Tinplate Works, back into the Glamorganshire Canal. This water wheel was renovated in the 1980s but has deteriorated since then.

The undershot waterwheel is 18.5 feet in diameter and 12.5 feet wide. It is connected to the the pumps via two twenty-two feet long beams made from American oak. The measured drawings you see here were produced by R.V. Bayliss and I. Payne.  Copyright on these images is reserved, please contact RCAHMW for details.

Look up the database entry for the Melingriffith Water Pump on Coflein.


Measured drawing showing the south elevation and a black and white image of the waterpump produced by R.V. Bayliss and I. Payne, undated. Copyright reserved: contact RCAHMW for details.

Measured drawing showing the north elevation and two black and white images of the waterpump produced by R.V. Bayliss and I. Payne, undated. Copyright reserved: contact RCAHMW for details. 

Measured drawing showing the west elevation and three black and white images of the waterpump produced by R.V. Bayliss and I. Payne, undated. Copyright reserved: contact RCAHMW for details. 

 Measured drawing showing plan and five black and white images of the waterpump produced by R.V. Bayliss and I. Payne, undated. Copyright reserved: contact RCAHMW for details.

Measured drawing showing the east elevation and three black and white images of the waterpump produced by R.V. Bayliss and I. Payne, undated. Copyright reserved: contact RCAHMW for details.