THE OLD FOREST WORKS AT SWANSEA, SHEWING THE CIRCULAR ARRANGEMENT OF COPPER FURNACES,

PHOTOGRAPHED FROM THE ORIGINAL IN POSSESSION OF COL. GRANT FRANCIS, F.S.A.

T is in a great degree due to the FACILITIES FOR SHIPPING in Swansea that the COPPER TRADE has established itself there; these facilities have from time to time been greatly improved upon, otherwise, in all probability, or as may be said to be the rule, the trade would have taken to itself wings and have established itself elsewhere. The necessity for Docks in Swansea has always been unquestionable, but the port seems to have enjoyed in times past the sometimes questionable advantage of being the subject of numerous consultations; at the same time the want of the gift of clear prevision, as shewn by the Swansea Harbour Trustees, has caused Bristol to lose its chance and its position among the great ports of the COUNTRY; and on the opposite coast the time was when Bideford was the largest western port in England, in the days of the Armada sending more ships. to fight the Spaniards than any other in Her Majesty's dominions.

The first gentleman consulted was Captain Huddart, F.R.S., whose name is very familiar to practical engineers of the present day, though living in the beginning of the present century, and it seems his opinion was often sought by Harbour Authorities

these things principally for Arge. The Swansea Harbour can gather, of the following

ENTATIVE TRUSTEES.

WILLIAM PADLEY.

RICHARD PHILLIPS.

DAVID ROWLAND.

CHARLES COLLINS.

THOMAS LOTT.

GRIFFITH HITCHINGS.

NES.

sentative Trustee.

uid appear that Captain mprovement of harbours, onsequence of them, he

send his expenses."

Huddart mentions in the Sution was that "Dispatch general principal next to dvantage over another, provided the same, dispatch in the end, I detention ultimately falls upon Station of Swansea in the Bristol neral manufacturing district with must, an all times command a very

South Wales, which admits of It has been remarked that she such are denied to other ports, and it hands her interests are committed

Trustees of Swansea Harbour, 1791, promptly erected a doubled