Swansea, Glamorgan, Wales
1869 - Swansea

This town, claiming to be regarded as the most important in South Wales, is advantageously and beautifully situated, between two lofty hills, on the western bank of the Tawe, which is navigable for ships of large burden, and in the centre of a noble bay to which it gives its name.

The population of the parish amounts to 33,972; of the borough to 41,606. The town has risen, with a rapidity unequalled in the history of the principality, from a comparatively insignificant place to a high degree of commercial and manufacturing importance; being indebted for its advancement and prosperity, not less to the mineral treasures abounding in its neighbourhood, than to its highly advantageous maritime situation. The number of tons of copper-ore smelted annually in the kingdom is estimated at about 200,000, nine-tenths of which are supposed to be manufactured in Swansea and its vicinity.

The situation of the port is admirably adapted for carrying on an extensive commerce; and for its improvement very considerable sums are annually expended under the authority of acts of parliament. A judicious plan for enlarging this harbour, recommended by Captain Huddart, F.R.S, has been accomplished; a stone pier and embankment of about 300 yards having been built on the western side, and a similar pier of 600 yards on the eastern side, leaving an opening of 80 yards between the pierheads; thus forming an outer harbour capable of holding in perfect safety many hundred vessels. A lighthouse and a station for pilots have been erected on the western pier, rendering the entrance safe and convenient.

A portion of the harbour has been converted into a float, forming a basin of about ten acres; and commodious docks have, more recently, been constructed, capable of accommodating ships of the largest class. On the banks of the river, at Port Tennant, and at the New Cut, are spacious and commodious quays, bonded warehouses, stores, a dry dock, and a patent slip equal to the repairing of ships of 600 tons burthen.

BLACK'S GUIDE TO ENGLAND AND WALES, 1869

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