TREFTADAETH CYMUNED LLANELLI COMMUNITY HERITAGE - A Brief History of fsRaby's Furnace
A Brief History of Raby's Furnace
Raby's Furnace stands approximately one mile outside the town of Llanelli in
the village of 'Furnace'. This fine example of a Welsh Iron Furnace has been
described by CADW (the Welsh Historic Monuments Agency), 'as a fine survival
of a circa 1800 blast furnace in virtually intact form' and listed as 'Grade
II*.
This crucible of the town's industrial birth was owned by Alexander Raby,
the London Ironmaster and Cannon founder, who is reputed to have been the
instigator of Llanelli's 'industrial revolution'. Raby is said to have
arrived in Llanelli and to have taken over an earlier concern owned by John
Gevers and Thomas Ingman circa 1796. Raby & Company (Carmarthenshire) were
frequent contractors to the Board of Ordnance.
It has always been part of local folklore that cannonballs were cast at
the Furnace for the Napoleonic Wars. The Furnace must have played an
important part in the Napoleonic Wars for it was reported by the 'Cambrian'
Newspaper in 1804, that 'four furnaces were at work night and day solely
confined to the service of the Board of Ordnance'. Exciting research carried
out at the Public Records Office by 'Llanelli Community Heritage' member Dr David Davies, has
revealed that payments were made by the Board of Ordnance to the Raby & Co.
for cannon and shot. He has also unearthed evidence of ships at Chatham
Naval Dockyard being 'fitted out' with Carronades bearing Raby inscription
marks. Carronades were small cannons used onboard many of Nelson's ships
during the Battle of Trafalgar. This was the Royal Navy in a time portrayed
in the recent film 'Master and Commander' and the TV series 'Hornblower'.
The blast furnace itself stands approximately 8 metres high and is situated
in a picturesque romantic valley called 'The Dingle' This impressive
structure which was the start point of the town of Llanelli's industrial
birth was also the core of a substantial rail and tramway network, part of
which was to form the route of the First Public Railway in Great Britain.
Now Llanelli Community Heritage appeals to Carmarthenshire County
Council to help restore this historic monument! The symbol of which, we have
chosen as our logo.
Treftadaeth Cymuned Llanelli Llanelli Community Heritage
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