Swansea Llangyfelach Contents

SWANSEA is a pleasant well built and populous town in the county of Glamorgan, situated on the river Tawe, near the centre of a most beautiful bay on an angle between two hills which shelter it from the north west to the north east, the southerly winds blowing over a vast expanse of sea renders the air mild besides having a gravelly soil for the considerable depth makes its situation not only pleasant but extremely healthful. Swansea has increased very much of late years, and at this period envoys advantages not to be found in any other town in Wales, it is much resorted to by company for sea bathing, the tide ebbs and flows a considerable way over a flat sandy shore, and up the Tawe, which runs by the town and is navigable for vessels of 300 tons burthen more than two miles, besides which there is a canal to Hennoyadd Brecon, an extent of upwards of 16 miles. Swansea has long been a place of considerable trade, and furnises frequent intercourse with London, Bristol, Cornwall,and Ireland, it also has some trade with the baltic, and West Indies, and is lately become a bonded-port. From the immense mines of coal-stone, coal and culm; flags, fire clay and lime, iron and rotten stone in the vicinity, a number of manufactories for copper, brass, iron, china and earthenware, have been erected on the banks of the river, ship building is also carried on to a considerable extent, there is an extensive porter brewery, and pipe manufactory, and more than 2000 vessels are annually employed in exporting coal, copper, earthenware, &c. &c. In 1791, a bill passed, empowering the corporation to repair and enlarge the harbour of Swansea, by turning the river through the western channel; a stone pier and embarkment, of above 400 years, has been built on the western side, and a pier from Salthouse Point on the eastern, of above 600 years in length, leaving an opening of 80 years between the pier heads, which forms an outer harbour, capable of holding in perfect safety many hundred vessels. A light-house and watch-house have been erected, on the western pier, with a platform to look out, from whence there is a beautiful view of the town and country round the bay, the light regularly appears when there is eight feet water on the bar. Swansea is one of the most safe and beautiful harbours in the kingdom, where every accomodation of wet and dry docks can be made at a trifling expence. The town has a very handsome appearance, being built on a semicular rising bank. The houses are good, the streets wide and clean, and well lighted with gas. The whole of Swansea is comprised in one parish. The church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is a handsome edifice with a middle and two side aisles, separated by two rows of pillars, with a large square tower at one end, a new gallery has lately been erected at the west end, and the whole is neatly lighted with gas. Near the upper end of the town is another small church, dedicated to St. John, having been formerly a chapel to the Knights of Jerusalem. Here are also two places of worship for the Independants, two for the Methodists, two Baptists, a Huntingdon, a Unitarian, a Friends meeting-house, a Catholic chapel, and a Jews Synagogue. The market house is commodious, and is said to be covered with the lead from St. David's Cathedral, given by Cromwell to a gentleman of this town. The Castle is situated on an emminence in the centre of the town, surmounted by an elegant parapet, with arched openings, and a lofty circular tower ornamented with a clock, which is all that is not concealed by the houses. The appartments yet habitable are converted into a gaol, principally used for the confinement of debtors. The town hall is a spacious and handsome modern edifice, built on a park of the castle inclosure. Theplaces of amusement, are an elegant theatre, open in the summer season, and the assembly rooms on the Burrows. The Infirmary & House of Industry, are situated on the Sands. There is a free school endowed by Dr. Hugh Gore, Bishop of Waterford, and Lismore, in 1684, and two schools on Mr. Lancaster's plan, one for boys and the other for girls. Swansea is a borough town, the Corporation consisting of a Portreeve, Recorder, twelve Aldermen, two Common Attornies, two Sergeants at Mace, and an unlimited number of Burgesses, and is one of the contributory boroughs that sends a member to parliament for Cardiff. Market days, Wednesday and Saturday. Fairs second Saturday in May, July 2nd, August 15th, October 8th, and two following Saturdays. Distance from London 206 miles. According to the late returns, the town contains 1,994 houses, 5581 males, 4,426 females, making 10,007 inhabitants.

Post Office, Wind-street, John Davies, Post Master. - The Royal Mail to London, every morning at a quarter after one. To Milford, &c. every night, at twelve. A Horse Post to Reynoldston, Gower, Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, at eight, and returns the same evening.

By Water :-

Bristol Steam Packet, for passengers & luggage three times a week, and returns the following days from Bristol
Ilfracombe, Packet, every Thursday, & Saturday, Amos Fry, Master

Regular Traders :-

London :-

The Assidious, Capt. Jenkins
Brothers, Capt. Jenkins
Hafod, M. Carkeek
Henry, T. Lewis
Hussy, Rhys-Jenkins
Trial, J. Jenkins
William, William Trewavies

Bristol :-

Friendship, Capt. Jenkins
General Picton, E. Thomas
New Industry, T. George
Phoenix, William Lodge
Swansea Packet, William Barrett
Swansea Trader, P. Huxtable

Coaches

Bristol, Royal Mail, from the Mackworth Arms, every morning, at one, through Neath, Cardiff, and Newport
Milford Haven, Royal Mail, from the Mackworth Arms, every night, at half-past twelve, thro' Carmarthen, &c.
Bristol & Gloucester. The Regulator, from the Mackworth Arms, every Monday, Wednesday & Friday morns, at five in the Summer, and three in the Winter, through Chepstow
Bristol. The Cambrian, from the Mackworth Arms, every Tues. Thursday, and Saturday mornings, at five in the Summer, and three in the Winter, by the New Passage
Cars to the Mumbles, every morning at ten, and afternoon at three, during the Summer

Pigot's London Provincial Directory. Swansea 1822-1823

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