The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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White Rock Works Canal Tunnel

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 01073w
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : St Thomas
Unitary authority : Swansea
NGR : SS66339454
Site Type (preferred type first) : POST MEDIEVAL Canal tunnel
Status : Scheduled Monument

Summary :
A 'cut and cover' tunnel with underground wharves. Constructed 1783-85 to allow Smith's canal to pass under the copper smelting works.

Description :
White Rock was established in 1736. The whole site is traversed by Smith's Canal of 1783, which passes under the works in a cut and cover tunnel (1073W) with underground wharves behind the "Great Workhouse".

A post-medieval 'cut and cover' tunnel with underground wharves to provide direct access for coal supplies. It was constructed in 1783-85 to carry Smith's Canal under White Rock Copper works. Smith's Canal, from Foxhole to Llansamlet dates from 1790-1803, following the line of an old wagon-way and was designed to transport coal from the Llansamlet collieries to the shipping tips bordering the east side of the Tawe at Foxhole (Gerrard 2007).

Sources :
Gerrard, C. , 2007 , Hasties, Morfa Road, Swansea: archaeological desk-based assessment ( © GGAT)
Toft L A , 1990 , A4067/A4217 Cross Valley Link at Pentrechwyth ( © GGAT)
02/PM Mention/Hague DB & Richards ET/1976/Arch in Wales p54 no131(9)
01/PM List/Cadw/1995/SAM List

Events :
E000636 : White Rock Works Canal Tunnel (year : 1976)
E003883 : A4067/A4217 Cross Valley Link at Pentrechwyth (year : 1990)

Related records
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 829W
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 2924W
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 02641w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 01046.0w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 00841w - 00843w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 00432w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 01073.0w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 00829w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 02642w - 2653w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 02262.0w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 01585w

Compiled date :


April 2, 2025, 12:13 pm - HTML file produced from GGAT HER Charitable Trust Ltd. Heathfield House, Heathfield, Swansea SA1 Tel. 01792 655208; Fax 01792 474469 website: www.ggat.org.uk  email: her@ggat.org.uk Registered Charity no. 505609
Data supplied by in partnership with Local Authorities, Cadw and the partners of ENDEX © GGAT HER Charitable Trust, 2025 (and in part © Crown, 2025).