Neath Abbey Ironworks collection

Scope and Content

D/D NAI: Administrative records of the Neath Abbey Ironworks

D/D NAI/G: Plans of gas installations and other gas contracts

D/D NAI/L: Plans of locomotives and railway engineering

D/D NAI/M: Plans of machinery, mostly for the mining industry

D/D NAI/S: Shipbuilding and marine engineering plans

D/D NAI/W: Plans of the Neath Abbey Ironworks and machinery for the works (including the Cheadle Works and Neath Abbey Gasworks)

Administrative / Biographical History

The foundry at Neath Abbey in South Wales was built in 1792 and leased to the Quaker firm of Fox and Company from Falmouth in Cornwall. It continued in business with a variety of different partners until 1875 and then, after an attempted revival, closed for the last time around 1885. The ironworks' period of operation coincided with the invention of railways and steamships, the opening up of the South Wales coalfield and the growth of industry throughout the UK. It was also a time when the area of Swansea and Neath was a world centre for metallurgy. It produced a variety of products, including railway locomotives, engines for ships, machinery for gas works and pumping and winding engines for mines.

Arrangement

Arranged by machinery type, and then alphabetically by client's name.

Access Information

No restrictions

Other Finding Aids

A hard copy is available at the West Glamorgan Archive Service

Conditions Governing Use

Usual copyright regulations apply.

Appraisal Information

All records received by the West Glamorgan Archive Service have been retained

Accruals

Accruals are not expected.