The Beam-Engine House in Wales

Abstract

Beam-engine houses, generally of the Cornish variety and sometimes 18th century in origin, are one of the best known industrial buildings of a bygone age, and few who have witnessed a Cornish engine in steam have not been awed by the spectacle. Massive and primitive machinery slowly and with dignity going about its duty is impressive in a way no modern engine can ever be. The lofty engine houses that still survive in various parts of the country form a fitting memorial to an important era in the history of technology. Nonetheless, though the numbers are yearly declining due to neglect and wanton demolition, it appears that no inventory, far less a proper survey, of remaining examples has yet been made.Conscious of the numbers and wide variety of designs in Wales alone, as the Welsh Mines Society representative on the Industrial Archaeological Panel of the Royal Commission on Historic Monuments (Wales), the author offered to visit the sites and compile a list or gazetteer of substantial remains. This was completed in June 1989, its purpose being to assist Cadw in its recommendations for Listing or Scheduling such structures as Historic Monuments on something approaching a rational basis. Subsequently, in view of the subject's wide appeal, not to mention certain important and even unique engine houses that came to light, it was felt the gazetteer deserved a rather more detailed treatment and publicity. This paper is the result.Every example has connections with mining, but whether for this industry or not, other engine houses may well remain to be located especially in the remoter parts of Wales. Ironworks blowing engines have not been included.