Copper Hoppers

Cadw's description

Location

A linear range aligned along the E side of the Upper Basin or inner harbour of the harbour at Porth Amlwch; located directly below and aligned with Pen Cei (Upper Quay Street).

History

A series of late C18 bins for storage of coal, ore and slag. In 1768 a rich deposit of copper ore was discovered on Parys Mountain, to the south of Amlwch, and for a generation the two opencast mines of Parys and Mona became the largest producers of copper in the world, with over 3000 tons(3048 tonnes) of copper produced annually between 1773 and 1785. The exported ores, copper and sulphur, and imported coal, was carried by ship, and the existing harbour at Amlwch was deemed inadequate for the vastly increased volume of traffic. In 1793 an Act of Parliament was passed which permitted the "...enlargement, deepening, cleansing, improvement and regulation of the harbour". Among the reasons given were the benefits of the additional safety to shipping as well as providing a retreat for ships in storms.
The Harbour was regulated by a Board of Trustees, which included Thomas Williams, Edward Hughes and Sir Nicholas Bayley. The new harbour was constructed along the eastern edge of the existing inlet, by cutting a level platform c400 feet(122m) long and 60 feet(18.3m) wide into the steeply sloping rock face. It is estimated that 20,000 tons(20,320 tonnes) of stone were excavated to make the harbour and quayside, some of which was used to build the harbour revetment wall and pier, as well as the series of six large ore bins. A new road was built above the bins, Pen Cei (Upper Quay Street), which allowed ore to be deposited directly from carts.

Exterior

Remains of late C18 copper hoppers and orebins. Built of rubble masonry with rough stone dressings. Some of the bins, at the S end of the range, were annotated as being roofed on the Francis map of 1828; most were open, to allow access for the ore tipped down from the road above. The central bin along the range has a wide arched doorway offset to the R (S), the walls have been raised and a modern lean-to slate roof added; the other bins now have modern gates to wide openings.

Reason for designation

Included, notwithstanding condition, as an important component part of the harbour development at Porth Amlwch. The harbour was erected to cater for the increased passage of shipping created by the ongoing period of industrial development at Amlwch, and the orebins housed the copper ore from the local mines which were the reason for that industrial boom.