Upl<strong>and</strong>s Initiative – Nant y Moch & Pumlim<strong>on</strong> Fawr / <str<strong>on</strong>g>Plynlim<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g> 2004Wales‘. The sale of tickets for <strong>the</strong> lottery was opened to <strong>the</strong> general public in October 1698; over£25,000 was subscribed <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> first day. In five m<strong>on</strong>ths enough tickets had been sold to enable <strong>the</strong>prize draw to be held. Those who held <strong>the</strong> first 700 tickets to be drawn were also to share in <strong>the</strong>management of <strong>the</strong> company.One of <strong>the</strong> men behind <strong>the</strong> scheme was William Waller, a former employee of <strong>the</strong> Mines <str<strong>on</strong>g>Royal</str<strong>on</strong>g>Society in Westmorl<strong>and</strong>, where he had been dismissed for some misdemeanour. He <strong>the</strong>n made apractice of invading <strong>the</strong> rights of <strong>the</strong> Society until he was forced to leave <strong>the</strong> area. He settled inCardiganshire <strong>and</strong> attached himself to Sir Carbery Pryse, whom he persuaded to defy <strong>the</strong> Mines<str<strong>on</strong>g>Royal</str<strong>on</strong>g> Society. It was Waller, too, who persuaded Mackworth to take over <strong>the</strong> mines. Thecompany's prospectus, written by Waller, c<strong>on</strong>tained many exaggerati<strong>on</strong>s, such as <strong>the</strong> statement thatEsgair-hir had ‗eight large veins of silver, lead <strong>and</strong> copper … which can't be parallelled in <strong>the</strong>whole of <strong>the</strong> Christian World‘. He called <strong>the</strong> mine ‗<strong>the</strong> Welsh Potosi‘ to emphasize its similarity to<strong>the</strong> great silver mines of Bolivia. Thous<strong>and</strong>s of pamphlets describing <strong>the</strong> mine <strong>and</strong> its prospects inglowing terms were distributed throughout Britain in order to attract investors.In practice, <strong>the</strong> much-publicized treasures of <strong>the</strong> Welsh Potosi proved difficult to unearth <strong>and</strong> it wasnot l<strong>on</strong>g before shareholders became restive. Statements, most of <strong>the</strong>m misleading <strong>and</strong> prepared byWaller, were sent out in an attempt to restore c<strong>on</strong>fidence. The main difficulty was ridding <strong>the</strong> mineof water <strong>and</strong> Waller ‗was not skilled in engines‘ which could do this work. Eventually committeesof inspecti<strong>on</strong> visited <strong>the</strong> mine <strong>and</strong> found much to c<strong>on</strong>demn in Waller's management. He wasdismissed <strong>and</strong> forced to leave his house at Ynys-hir. He <strong>the</strong>n went to L<strong>on</strong>d<strong>on</strong> where he c<strong>on</strong>ducted acampaign of vilificati<strong>on</strong> against <strong>the</strong> Company of Mine Adventurers.For <strong>the</strong> first ten years of working <strong>the</strong> mines of Cardiganshire, <strong>the</strong> company had little to show.Although it leased twenty-eight mines, fifteen of <strong>the</strong>m did not produce any ore worth recording. Atotal of 3,658 t<strong>on</strong>s of ore was produced up to August 1708, but at a very high cost. Only 1,123 t<strong>on</strong>swere raised at '<strong>the</strong> Great Mine of Esgair hir‘ <strong>and</strong> what Waller called ‗<strong>the</strong> Glorious Work ofGoginan‘ yielded <strong>on</strong>ly twenty t<strong>on</strong>s, which cost £627 to raise. Mackworth was accused ofmisleading <strong>the</strong> public; he was brought before <strong>the</strong> House of Comm<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> found 'guilty of manynotorious <strong>and</strong> Sc<strong>and</strong>alous Frauds'. There is little or no evidence to suggest that he gained financiallyby his acti<strong>on</strong>s. As for Waller, <strong>the</strong> questi<strong>on</strong> was asked: 'How a certain pers<strong>on</strong> that was so poor in1698 as to want M<strong>on</strong>ey to buy bread for his Family came to be so Rich in a few Years as to aboundboth in M<strong>on</strong>ey <strong>and</strong> Plate‖ (LEWIS 1998, p160).Within <strong>the</strong> survey area as a whole are <strong>the</strong> remains of 17 post medieval lead mines, each with its ownnetwork of leats. These metal mines include, <strong>the</strong> Lywernog Lead Mine (now a museum near P<strong>on</strong>terwyd,Cardiganshire), <strong>the</strong> P<strong>on</strong>terwyd Lead Mine (north-east of Llywernog Lead Mine, Cardiganshire), <strong>the</strong> Bryn yrAfr Lead Mine (now submerged by Nant y Moch Reservoir, Cardiganshire), <strong>the</strong> South Cambrian LeadMine (partly submerged by Nant y Moch Reservoir, Cardiganshire), <strong>the</strong> Nant y Cwpl Lead Mine (nowsubmerged by <strong>the</strong> Nant y Moch Reservoir), <strong>the</strong> Camddwr Lead Mine (now submerged by <strong>the</strong> Nant y MochReservoir ), <strong>the</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Plynlim<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g> Lead Mine (south-eastern lower slopes of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Plynlim<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g>, Cardiganshire), <strong>the</strong> Bwlchy stylllen Lead Mine (west end of survey area, Cardiganshire), <strong>the</strong> Hore Lead Mine ( east of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Plynlim<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g>,M<strong>on</strong>tomeryshire), <strong>the</strong> Bog Lead Mine (north of P<strong>on</strong>terwyd, Cardiganshire), <strong>the</strong> Nant yr Eira Lead Mine(east of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Plynlim<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g>, M<strong>on</strong>tomeryshire), <strong>the</strong> Nant y Iago Lead Mine (east of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Plynlim<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g>, M<strong>on</strong>tomeryshire), <strong>the</strong>West Wye Valley Lead Mine (south-east of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Plynlim<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g>, in old county of M<strong>on</strong>tomeryshire), <strong>the</strong> Llyn LlygadLead Mine (nor<strong>the</strong>rn slopes of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Plynlim<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g>), Blaen Wye (east of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Plynlim<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g>), Hirgoed Ddu Lead Mine (nearEisteddfa Gurig), <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Nant Nod Lead Mine (near P<strong>on</strong>t Rhydgfaled). The majority of <strong>the</strong>se mines beganwork ei<strong>the</strong>r in <strong>the</strong> mid-late 18 th century or else in <strong>the</strong> early-mid 19 th century,, however a few have muchearlier 18 th century origins. Most of <strong>the</strong> mines came into disuse in <strong>the</strong> late 19 th century, however a few, suchas Bryn Afr Lead Mine, were still in producti<strong>on</strong> in 1912.David Bick in his ‗Old Metal Mines of Mid-Wales‘ describes <strong>the</strong> readily available history of <strong>on</strong>ly a h<strong>and</strong>fulof <strong>the</strong> key mines menti<strong>on</strong>ed above.―The first to attract our attenti<strong>on</strong> is PLYNLIMMON (SN 795856) to which a l<strong>on</strong>g <strong>and</strong> rough carttrack ascends from Eisteddfa Gurig. Within <strong>the</strong> shadow of <strong>the</strong> highest mountain in Mid-Wales, its71CAP Report No: 355
Upl<strong>and</strong>s Initiative – Nant y Moch & Pumlim<strong>on</strong> Fawr / <str<strong>on</strong>g>Plynlim<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g> 2004situati<strong>on</strong> at 1800 ft above sea level is bleak in <strong>the</strong> extreme, with shocking wea<strong>the</strong>r for much of <strong>the</strong>year. Even so, drought often brought <strong>the</strong> water-powered machinery to a st<strong>and</strong>, so that <strong>on</strong>e way orano<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> elements played havoc with operati<strong>on</strong>s both above ground <strong>and</strong> below. Under suchc<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s a c<strong>on</strong>siderable output of lead ore (3270 t<strong>on</strong>s) was never<strong>the</strong>less achieved.The mine commenced producti<strong>on</strong> in 1866, after a working miner found solid galena about 3 incheswide in <strong>the</strong> stream. Results were immediate <strong>and</strong> highly promising; <strong>the</strong> adit penetrated 155 fathomsin good ore <strong>and</strong> when a new company took possessi<strong>on</strong> in 1870, about 1000 t<strong>on</strong>s had already beensold, with <strong>on</strong>e foot of galena still showing in <strong>the</strong> 12 fathom level. A new 50 ft diameter water wheelstarted work <strong>on</strong> 26th October 1870 <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> old 40 ft wheel <strong>the</strong>nceforth served for crushing <strong>and</strong>drawing. But water supplies proved so unreliable that within a year an 18 inch horiz<strong>on</strong>tal steamengine costing £700 was installed <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>nected by gearing to <strong>the</strong> pumping wheel.Captain John Garl<strong>and</strong> succeeded John Paul as manager in February 1873 - a positi<strong>on</strong> which <strong>the</strong>latter was no doubt glad enough to relinquish. In additi<strong>on</strong> to <strong>the</strong> shortage of power, great difficultypersisted in attracting labour to so desolate a spot, where <strong>the</strong> lack of a nearby public housepresented ' a grievous fault in <strong>the</strong> eyes of <strong>the</strong> miners '.At <strong>the</strong> 1875 A.G.M. it was admitted that <strong>the</strong> steam engine had proved totally useless, having almostshaken <strong>the</strong> pumping wheel to pieces, <strong>and</strong> in <strong>the</strong> October a breakage occurred in <strong>the</strong> line of flat rodsto <strong>the</strong> new shaft (sunk <strong>on</strong> rising ground to <strong>the</strong> east). Hardly was this repaired when <strong>the</strong> balance bobbroke in two. However <strong>the</strong>se setbacks were minor compared to lack of water for pumping, <strong>and</strong> forl<strong>on</strong>g periods flooding rendered <strong>the</strong> bottoms unworkable.Although £38,000 of ore had been raised by <strong>the</strong> end of 1876, Plynlimm<strong>on</strong> still failed to pay costs<strong>and</strong> a new c<strong>on</strong>cern took over in <strong>the</strong> following year. Previously <strong>the</strong> winzes below <strong>the</strong> 24 fathomlevel were drained by <strong>the</strong> primitive expedient of man power, which was so<strong>on</strong> replaced by a systemof wire ropes from <strong>the</strong> 50 ft wheel to pumps via <strong>the</strong> adit. Fur<strong>the</strong>r troubles included <strong>the</strong> bursting of<strong>the</strong> reservoir in December 1876. But by now, lead prices were <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> verge of decline, <strong>and</strong> twelveyears of struggle ended in 1878 when <strong>the</strong> 36 fathom level turned out poorer than expected,In spite of <strong>the</strong> record, Plynlimm<strong>on</strong> revived a few years later <strong>and</strong> yielded 195 t<strong>on</strong>s of ore between1887 <strong>and</strong> 1891. Apart from a little fur<strong>the</strong>r work in 1895 it has lain dormant ever since.Today <strong>the</strong> dumps (still with good specimens of galena) point like some giant finger down <strong>the</strong>valley, with <strong>the</strong> shafts, tramroads <strong>and</strong> wheelpits forming <strong>the</strong>ir own memorial to <strong>on</strong>e of <strong>the</strong> mostdiscouraging mine sites in Wales (BICK 1923, pp 6-8)Although just out of <strong>the</strong> bounds of <strong>the</strong> present survey area it is worth menti<strong>on</strong>ing <strong>the</strong> former existence of <strong>the</strong>mines of ‗Castell‘, also known as <strong>the</strong> ‗West Esgairlle‘ (SN 775813) <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> ‗Bryn Glas‘ mine (SN 753815).Both of <strong>the</strong>se mines must have had a pr<strong>on</strong>ounced affect <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> surrounding l<strong>and</strong>scape as well as having hada significant impact <strong>on</strong> all of <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r mines in <strong>the</strong> area as well offering employment.―Across a watersplash just below Dyffryn Castell Hotel lies CASTELL or WEST ESGAIRLLE(SN 775813). This shallow mine exploited <strong>the</strong> powerful lode that extends as far as <strong>the</strong> Vale ofRheidol, <strong>and</strong> was being opened for blende by Thomas B<strong>on</strong>sall in 1785 ; it had however, probablyclosed by 1803, when <strong>the</strong> thriving South Wales ir<strong>on</strong>works had attracted nearly every Cardiganshireminer.During a re-working in 1856, Nicholas Ennor favoured Castell with a passing glance during hisannual tour of mines likely to interest investors. Writing to <strong>the</strong> Mining Journal he ridiculed <strong>the</strong>management for erecting a waterwheel' so high <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> hill as to be unable to obtain sufficient waterto turn it'. This drew a str<strong>on</strong>g retort <strong>and</strong> explanati<strong>on</strong>s from Captain Lester, who also stated that <strong>the</strong>wheel was for a crusher 18 fathoms north of Engine Shaft, with a pumping <strong>and</strong> drawing wheel to beplaced between. Never<strong>the</strong>less, Ennor judged correctly, for in November 1856 <strong>the</strong> property completewith 30 ft x 4 ft waterwheel came up for sale, being optimistically described as ' in perfect workingorder <strong>and</strong> offering to capitalists an opportunity seldom to be met with '. The aucti<strong>on</strong>eer was T. P.Thomas.The mine reopened again <strong>on</strong> several occasi<strong>on</strong>s, <strong>the</strong> l<strong>on</strong>gest run being from 1898 to 1908. Thepresent crusher house with its lofty tapering walls was erected in 1898 by Captain J. Owen for <strong>the</strong>71CAP Report No: 355