Copperopolis

Skipper John and his wife Margaret seek adventure and fortune in Swansea’s 1880s copper boom. But when Margaret discovers the dark side of the copper trade, the life they built starts to collapse.

John Clement runs away to sea to escape rural poverty and becomes a master mariner. Margaret, fiery farmer’s daughter, falls in love with his adventurous spirit. A pioneering woman of her era, she learns to navigate, and they sail together, sharing a passion for the ocean. But John’s first mate objects to women at sea, so she reluctantly abandons her dream.

When John’s ship is wrecked, rumours it was scuttled jeopardise his reputation. Short of options, John gambles on joining the copper trade, sailing round Cape Horn, ultimate test of his seamanship but a graveyard for crews.

Meanwhile Margaret uncovers the damage copper inflicts on the local community: destitution and deadly pollution, as smelter Vernon grows rich. Frustrated that nobody in the copper trade will speak out, she collaborates with shipowners conspiring to wrest control from Vernon. But when Vernon foils the plot, the Clement family’s reputation and livelihood is at stake.

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