Ground plan of 19 inch engine on Boulton and Watt's principle. 20 Feb. 1815

Description

Neath Abbey had experience of Bolton &Watt steam engines as their blast furnaces were blown by one, and in 1800, Watt’s patent expired. In 1803, Svedenstierna stated that steam engines were common in South Wales, and the Company quickly saw the opportunities of this expanding market with the growth of industry and the chance to diversify. By 1806, the Ironworks was manufacturing engines for mines and works in Cornwall as well as Wales. Exports soon followed to Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, India, Australia and South America. The quality of the work was world famous.