Monday 19 November 2012

Ynysfach Iron works, Dowlais Engine House, Merthyr


Engine House Floodlit
Ynysfach Engine House, Dowlaid, Merthyr

Copyright of:  http://www.mtht.co.uk/Ynysfachopening.html

Ynysfach Ironworks, Merthyr Tydfil was built by Thomas Jones of Merthyr Tydfil.   Watkin George designed the building and it was built for Richard Crawshay in 1801.

These furnaces were the second in Merthyr Tydfil to have steam-powered air blast machinery, giving the works an advantage over the nearby Cyfarthfa Ironworks, which depended on water power.

Two more blast furnaces and a new southern, engine house were built in 1830 when the northern engine house was rebuilt.

Reconditioning took place in 1884, after closure in 1873.   The Ynysfach furnaces were  then held in reserve, following Cyfarthfa’s conversion to steel.

The southern engine house was demolished some time after 1905 and one chimney stack (belonging to the northern boiler house) was demolished in 1949.



It is now the home of Pant and Dowlais Boys and Girls Club, reknowned for its work with the youth of the area.  Check out the dowlais engine house website below for details of current events.  Some  are designed for adults too, and volunteers are always wanted.


http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Ynysfach_Ironworks

http://www.dowlaisenginehouse.co.uk/

http://www.ggat.org.uk/news/archive/merthyr_college/news.html

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