The copper boom in Swansea & Gower

In the middle of the 19th century, nine-tenths of the world’s copper was smelted in Swansea. How did this come about, and why was the copper trade such a powerful force for the industrial development of Swansea and its rural hinterland Gower?

Birth of copper smelting

In the 1700s, copper was the preferred metal for protecting ships from barnacles and worms in tropical waters. Cornwall was the leading producer of copper ore up until the 1860s, and Swansea was a short distance across the Bristol Channel, with abundant coal. A tonne of copper takes four tonnes of coal to smelt, so the copper is brought to the coal. By the end of the 18th century there were seven copper smelting works in Swansea, and one in Penclawdd, Gower. By the mid-1800s the two largest were Hafod, owned by the Vivians, and Morfa, owned by the Williams. Their copper ingots were used for piping and steam engines as well as sheathing ships. But then the Cornish copper mines started to dry up, and copper was imported, principally from Chile. At its peak in 1860, Chile supplied 30,000 tons of copper ore.

The copper barques

The only route to reach Chile was round Cape Horn, which required a sturdy boat. The copper barques had three masts and many had iron hulls. Built in Swansea or newfoundland, they had to withstand the severe weather conditions of the South Atlantic and have capacity for a cargo of coal going out and copper ore on the return voyage. Shipowners were local merchants and entrepreneurs, maintaining their boats and employing the Master and crew, and negotiating with copper mines and smelters. Many ship owning families owned dozens of ships. An aspiring shipowner might only own one ship and divide shares among local investors.

Cape Horners

A copper barque would have fifteen to twenty crew, led by a Master, supported by First and Second Mate. A Master would wield unquestioned authority while at sea, on the route and the care of the ship and crew. In port, he would negotiate with the mine owners and protect the owner’s commercial interests. A Master might earn fifteen or twenty pounds a month, plus any trading he might undertake on his own account. Some Masters acquired enough capital to become shipowners in their own right.

But even today, Cape Horn is considered the Everest of sailing, with severe storms and colossal waves. Many copper barques foundered and their entire crew were lost. In Swansea the ‘Cape Horners’ who had completed many voyages were treated with respect.

Pollution and working conditions in copper smelting

The copper furnaces ran 24 hours a day, at temperatures of up to 300 degrees. The copper men who tended them were well paid but endured not only extreme heat but also sulphurous fumes. They covered their noses and mouths with cloth, but the sulphur damaged their lungs so they spat blood, and many died young.

The foul smoke from the Swansea Valley smelters damaged the natural environment. Trees on Kilvey Hill blackened and died, and vegetables in allotments failed to thrive. Some in the local community noticed, but copper smelting was contributing so much to the economy of Swansea it was accepted.

Riches of copper smelters

The copper smelting families accumulated huge wealth, as did many Victorian industrialists. They built entire villages for their workers’ families, complete with schools, chapels and allotments, but of course their income was tied to the smelters.

Over in the west of Swansea, upwind of their industrial smoke, the copper smelters built large houses and filled them with art and sculpture.

Decline of Chilean copper and growth of America

From 1880 onwards, Chilean copper imports declined, and more smelting took place in the Americas. The last copper barque brought ore from Chile to Swansea in 1902. By 1920 only three copper smelting firms remained in Swansea.

Copper had built the shipping industry in Swansea and provided many sailors and shipowners a livelihood, albeit at the cost of lives lost at sea and among workers at the copper smelters. The smelting families moved onto tinplate and the maritime community shifted to other forms of trade.

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Carolyn Morgan