Dyfi Furnace: Industrial history in South Wales
Introduction Tonight, I am posting information on a fascinating example of Welsh industrial history. Historically, heavy industry in Wales was confined to coal and iron in the south and slate quarrying in the north. However, at Dyfi Furnace, about twelve miles north of Aberystwith in mid-Wales, is a perfectly preserved example of a charcoal -fired blast furnace from 1755. The facility was used for the smelting of iron-ore via a process which used water power to drive a huge set of bellows. Most of the pig-iron output was sent to forges in the English Midlands.This activity lasted for 50 years.After a period of abandonment iron-making activity was converted to a sawmill. Waterfall on the River Einion at Dyfi Furnace. A mill race leads from the top of the waterfall to power the breastshot waterwheel. Head of the waterfall Detailed history (from Wikipedia) The site for Dyfi Furnace was chosen downstream of the waterfall on the River Einion to take advant...