Melingriffith Tin Plate Works History and Operations

The Melingriffith Tin Plate Works has a rich history that spans over a century. It was established in 1777 by the Crawshay family and was initially known as the Crawshay's Melingriffith Works.

The works was a major producer of tinplate, a type of steel coated with a thin layer of tin. Tinplate was used for making tin cans and other metal containers.

In its early years, the works was powered by water from the nearby River Taff. This water power was a significant factor in the works' success, allowing it to operate efficiently and produce high-quality tinplate.

The works underwent significant expansions and modernizations over the years, with the introduction of new machinery and technologies.

For more insights, see: Ohio E Check Years

The Melingriffith Tin Plate Works have a rich history dating back to the 12th century, when it was a corn mill known as "Melingriffith" after Gruyffydd, the son of Ifor Bach, Lord of Senghenydd.

Located on the same site, the mill was later converted into a forge, producing tin plates, iron plates, wire, and other specialties. The works were eventually connected to the Pentyrch Iron Forge, Blast Furnaces, Collieries and Mine Pits, located at Taff's Well.

You might like: Lpl Financial 1055 Lpl Way Fort Mill Sc 29715

The Melingriffith and Pentyrch Railway was built to link the two sites, and the works were managed by notable ironmasters, including Richard Blakemore, who became sole owner and directed the works until 1838.

The works were the largest in the tin-plate trade until 1806 and produced over 17,500 tons of tin-plates annually by 1906. The principal markets were Germany and the US.

The Melingriffith Tin Plate Works were founded sometime before 1750 and became the largest tin-plate works in the world by the end of the 18th century. It's considered one of the earliest and most important works of its kind.

The site is now used for housing, but the 200-year-old Melingriffith water pump was named a scheduled monument after the closure of the tin plate works in 1957.

Take a look at this: Bc Plate Number Search

The Melingriffith Tin Plate Works was a massive operation with a complex system of machinery. The boiler house at the top end of the mills contained one Lancashire boiler made by Daniel Adamson and Co.

Broaden your view: The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Co

This boiler drove two duplicate horizontal compound engines, which were eventually compounded and had an additional mill coupled to each. The mills throughout the works were two rolls high and had two pairs of standard housings.

The tin-house contained fourteen tin-sets of the Melingriffith Patent, fourteen Richard Thomas and Company's cleaners, and four dusting-machines. This machinery was driven by a 25 hp three-phase electric motor.

The fitting shop had four lathes, one screw-cutting machine, and one drilling machine. The carpenters' shop was also located in the building, which was used as a "company shop" where the workpeople obtained their supplies of food and clothing.

The Tin Works had a locomotive manufactured by Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. of Kilmarnock, and another locomotive made by Peckett and Sons of Bristol, which was delivered in 1916.

Recommended read: Alex. Brown & Sons

The Melingriffith Works site was situated on the east bank of the River Taff, on a narrow site between the river and the Glamorganshire Canal.

A unique perspective: Site Internet Commerce

The works covered an area of 4 acres (1.6 ha), which is a relatively small site by industrial standards.

The site was connected to the canal and by a railway to the Pentyrch Iron Works at Taff's Well about 3 miles (5 km) upriver, including a bridge over the Taff.

A notable feature of the site was the eleven rolling mills, which were situated at a lower level than the other parts of the works in order to take advantage of the fall of the water.

The Radyr Weir, situated on the river about 1 mile (1.6 km) above the works, was renewed and strengthened in 1774 to provide a more regular supply of water.

Velindre, which translates to "the house of the mill", was situated on the crest of a hill which overlooked the works.

Expand your knowledge: Simple Site Company

The Melingriffith Tin Works had a complex system of operations, with several key components working together to produce tin plate. The boiler house, situated at the top end of the mills, contained one Lancashire boiler made by Daniel Adamson and Co.

Check this out: American Sheet & Tin Plate Co.

This boiler drove two duplicate horizontal compound engines, which were later compounded and had a mill added to each. The mills throughout the works were two rolls high, and each had two pairs of standard housings.

The annealing, pickling, cold rolls, tinning, and assorting rooms, as well as the carpenters' and fitting shops, and the smithy, were situated on the higher level of the works. There were three reverberatory annealing furnaces, and two pickling machines.

The tin-house contained fourteen tin-sets of the type known as the "Melingriffith Patent", and was driven by a 25 hp three-phase electric motor. The fitting shop had four lathes, one screw-cutting machine, and one drilling machine.

The Melingriffith Tin Works also had a locomotive made by Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. of Kilmarnock, and another made by Peckett and Sons of Bristol, delivered in 1916.

Discover more: Fitting Work

Melingriffith Tin Plate Works was a private company from 1888 until 1916, under the directorship of Richard Thomas.

The company was formed after the Melingriffith and Pentyrch properties were sold in 1888 for £12,000, plus £10,500 for machinery and plant.

Richard Thomas remained the director until his sons took control in 1916.

The managing director in 1934 was Spence Thomas, who oversaw the sale of the works to Richard Thomas and Co Ltd.

Tinplate manufacture was temporarily suspended after the sale in 1934.

The company was wound up in 1939.

In 1952, the Melingriffith Tinplate Works was still producing tinplate in the old labour-intensive way, as featured in the TV documentary "Other People's Jobs".

A different take: Independent Board Director