Cyfarthfa Ironworks

Sectors:

  • Fabricated metal products manufacture Cannon, gun & shot founding inc cannon balls
  • Basic metals production Iron, steel & related alloys production

Notes:

Established in 1765 by Anthony Bacon, d1786, a London merchant and government contractor, and William Brownrigg, who retired in 1777, as an ironmaking and forge business with the plant being built by Charles Wood. 1782 works briefly operated by Francis Homfray and subsequently by David Tanner. From 1777 Bacon was connected with Richard Crawshay, 1739-1810, in supply of cannon to the Board of Ordnance and in c1786 the works were leased to him. Under his family the works expanded to become by far the largest in Britain for supply of iron and iron products. In decline from c1870s although extended and substantially rebuilt in 1880s to include a steel plant when styled Crawshay Brothers & Co. Sold to Guest Keen & Nettlefolds Ltd, owners of nearby Dowlais Ironworks, in 1902 [2023]

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