Bute Ironworks
Ironworks in the Rhymni valley
1824 Forman and Co built three furnaces on land leased from the Marquis of Bute (who actively encouraged the enterprise). It was located on the west bank of the Rhymney River, opposite the Rhymney Ironworks on the other bank. The blast furnaces 'were of a somewhat pretentious style of architecture, having a front of Egyptian design.'[1]
From 1825 both concerns were operated together by Forman & Co and became known as the Rhymney Ironworks.
1826 'The new Bute Iron-works of Messrs. Forman and Co., in the neighbourhood of Merthyr Tydvil, are already in of considerable forwardness. Three of the blast furnaces are nearly completed. The engine-house is a fine building in the Egyptian style of architecture. Notwithstanding the stagnation, and consequent extreme distress experienced in most of the manufacturing districts through the kingdom, the iron-works of Merthyr Tydvil and neighbourhood are actively carried on.'[2]
Thomas Johnson was a partner in the Bute Ironworks. His sister married William Crawshay (1788-1867) in 1828.
1829 On William Forman's death he held shares in the Bute and other ironworks.
1830 Two blast furnaces, but neither was in operation.
See Also
Sources of Information
- The South Wales Iron Industry 1750-1885 (1993), 137-8, by L.Ince
- [1] Bute Ironworks Rhymney