The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Upper Bank Works

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 02642w
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Bonymaen
Unitary authority : Swansea
NGR : SS6657995305
Site Type (preferred type first) : POST MEDIEVAL Copper works

Summary :
Built in 1757 as a lead & zinc smelter. Solely copperworks in 1782. Expanded between 1898 & 1914. Partially demolished after 1924. Reroofed for wartime munitions factory. Incorporated into Addis Plastic Factory in 1964.

Description :
In 1757 the Upper Bank Works were first built by Chauncey Townsend who also had the Middle Bank Works built 1755. Zinc and lead were smelted in the Works. Zinc smelting ceased around 1775 and lead became the main product. In 1782, lead work ended and copperwork became the sole function. Between 1898 and 1914 the Upper Bank Works expanded north along the river. (Hughes)

All copper smelting ended on the Tawe in 1924. Most factories were demolished but part of the 18th century Upper Bank Works remained. It was reroofed for a wartime munitions factory. In 1964 it was incorporated into the Addis Plastics Factory. (Hughes)

1757 - Built by Jon Smith and others to refine lead and zinc (Spelter).
1777 - Joseph Rotton and Co.
1782 - Parys Mine Co (copper refining).
1804 - Williams and Grenfell; they took over the Middle Bank Works as well.
1825/6 - Owen Williams.
1828 - Muntz Patent Metal Co.
1850 - Pascoe Grenfell and Sons Ltd.
1890/2 - William Foster and Co also Pascoe Grenfell and Sons Ltd.
1924 - British Copper Manufacturers Ltd.
1928 - ICI Ltd.
1930 - Closed.
1938 - Ministry of Supply 'Q' Factory (operated by ICI Ltd). (10275g)
1964 - Addis Ltd. In 1823, G F Muntz developed muntz metal, the most useful copper zinc alloy, at this location. (OS)

(Thacker et al 2015)



Sources :
Hughes, S , 2000 , Copperopolis
Marvel, A & Locock, M , 1996 , Swansea Bay Improvement Works (White Rock & Middle Bank) ( © GGAT)
Maylan, N. , 2012 , River Tawe Collection: Photos of various sites along the River Tawe (45)
Ordnance Survey , 2nd Edition OS map 6"
Ordnance Survey , 1st Edition OS map 6"
Ordnance Survey , 3rd Edition OS map 6"
Ordnance Survey , 4th Edition OS map 6"
Thacker, G. , 2014 , Upper Bank to White Rock Rising Main, Swansea
Toft L A , 1990 , A4067/A4217 Cross Valley Link at Pentrechwyth ( © GGAT)
01/mm assess/GGAT//1990/Cross Valley Link/

Events :
E003883 : A4067/A4217 Cross Valley Link at Pentrechwyth (year : 1990)
E007161 : Upper Bank to White Rock Rising Main, Swansea (year : 2013)
E007585 : Hafod-Morfa Copperworks, Neath Road, Swansea (year : 2018)
E003890 : A4067/A4217 and Cross Valley Link at Pentrechwyth. (year : 1991)
E002365 : Swansea Bay Improvement Works (White Rock & Middle Bank) WB (year : 1996)

Related records
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) PR4
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) 01073w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 02643w - 2653w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 02262.0w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 01585w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 10272w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 10275w

Compiled date : 14-06-1990


Images :



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