Muteswan
Roger Freestone
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Copied from The History Of Wales.
Swansea - ‘Copperopolis'.
Recorded production at Swansea's first copper works began on 14th February 1717. This was the Llangyfelach Copperworks near Landore, which had opened the previous month.
The beginning of Swansea's industrial growth commenced in the early 18th century with the promotion by Gabriel Powell, steward to the Duke of Beaufort, as to its suitability as a centre for copper production. As it took at least three tonnes of coal to smelt one tonne of copper ore, it made economic sense to bring the ore to the coal. Powell noted the local availability and abundance of coal around Swansea, its natural safe harbour of the Tawe estuary and the proximity of the copper ore from Cornwall in particular.
The first copper works was established in Swansea in 1717 at the Llangyfelach Copper works near Landore by Dr Lane and Mr Pollard, who had owned copper mines in Cornwall. By 1800 Swansea was smelting an estimated 90 percent of Britain’s total copper output.
Swansea’s copper was so good and pure in quality that it was used by Nelson to ‘Copper bottom’ his ships. This process increased the ship's manoeuvrability and was instrumental in his ultimate victory in the Napoleonic Wars. By 1823 the Swansea Valley’s various copper works and supporting industries employed 10,000 out of a population of around 15,000.
By 1860 eleven major copper works had been established in the Tawe Valley which produced 65 percent of total world output, The wealth generated and the subsequent improved infrastructure saw Satellite towns develop and the construction of large estates and country houses by copper magnates. These factors all contributed to Swansea gaining the nickname ‘Copperopolis’.
Originally, the ore came from Anglesey and Cornwall but as demand for Swansea Copper increased so did the distances Swansea's ships sailed to get it. Spain, Cuba and the Pacific coast of South America were regular sources. However, an outbreak of Yellow Fever which killed 15 Swansea people in 1865 was sourced to a cargo ship from Cuba.
Controversially, slave labour was used at the Cuban copper mines and Swansea copper work owners were heavily connected with slavers from Bristol and Liverpool. The copper being used to barter in the slave markets of the central and western African coasts.
Workers were encouraged to migrate to other countries to share their expertise in the development of the industry in those countries. Hence there are 26 places called Swansea in different parts of the world. 12 in America, 10 in Canada, two in Australia and one in both South Africa and Jamaica.
By the 1890s, the USA and Australia in particular, had set up their own smelting industries. This reduced the demand for Swansea's copper and the region diversified into other metal industries such as tinplate. However, by the 1950's, all but one copper smelting works had closed down. The Hafod-Morfa Copper works continued to manufacture semi-refined copper but these works closed in 1980.
The separation of copper from its ore is notorious for producing large amounts of slag waste and poisonous smoke, containing sulphur and arsenic. This resulted in giant waste tips and a mainly treeless landscape. In 1968, Swansea Council commenced a rejuvenation project, which included the planting of woodlands, the construction of themed parks and the building of new shopping centres and office facilities.
Swansea - ‘Copperopolis'.
Recorded production at Swansea's first copper works began on 14th February 1717. This was the Llangyfelach Copperworks near Landore, which had opened the previous month.
The beginning of Swansea's industrial growth commenced in the early 18th century with the promotion by Gabriel Powell, steward to the Duke of Beaufort, as to its suitability as a centre for copper production. As it took at least three tonnes of coal to smelt one tonne of copper ore, it made economic sense to bring the ore to the coal. Powell noted the local availability and abundance of coal around Swansea, its natural safe harbour of the Tawe estuary and the proximity of the copper ore from Cornwall in particular.
The first copper works was established in Swansea in 1717 at the Llangyfelach Copper works near Landore by Dr Lane and Mr Pollard, who had owned copper mines in Cornwall. By 1800 Swansea was smelting an estimated 90 percent of Britain’s total copper output.
Swansea’s copper was so good and pure in quality that it was used by Nelson to ‘Copper bottom’ his ships. This process increased the ship's manoeuvrability and was instrumental in his ultimate victory in the Napoleonic Wars. By 1823 the Swansea Valley’s various copper works and supporting industries employed 10,000 out of a population of around 15,000.
By 1860 eleven major copper works had been established in the Tawe Valley which produced 65 percent of total world output, The wealth generated and the subsequent improved infrastructure saw Satellite towns develop and the construction of large estates and country houses by copper magnates. These factors all contributed to Swansea gaining the nickname ‘Copperopolis’.
Originally, the ore came from Anglesey and Cornwall but as demand for Swansea Copper increased so did the distances Swansea's ships sailed to get it. Spain, Cuba and the Pacific coast of South America were regular sources. However, an outbreak of Yellow Fever which killed 15 Swansea people in 1865 was sourced to a cargo ship from Cuba.
Controversially, slave labour was used at the Cuban copper mines and Swansea copper work owners were heavily connected with slavers from Bristol and Liverpool. The copper being used to barter in the slave markets of the central and western African coasts.
Workers were encouraged to migrate to other countries to share their expertise in the development of the industry in those countries. Hence there are 26 places called Swansea in different parts of the world. 12 in America, 10 in Canada, two in Australia and one in both South Africa and Jamaica.
By the 1890s, the USA and Australia in particular, had set up their own smelting industries. This reduced the demand for Swansea's copper and the region diversified into other metal industries such as tinplate. However, by the 1950's, all but one copper smelting works had closed down. The Hafod-Morfa Copper works continued to manufacture semi-refined copper but these works closed in 1980.
The separation of copper from its ore is notorious for producing large amounts of slag waste and poisonous smoke, containing sulphur and arsenic. This resulted in giant waste tips and a mainly treeless landscape. In 1968, Swansea Council commenced a rejuvenation project, which included the planting of woodlands, the construction of themed parks and the building of new shopping centres and office facilities.
