Now and Then XIII: Gilfach Ddu, Dinorwic Quarry

Gilfach Ddu – Now and Then

Date	6 June 2015
Location	Llanberis	SH 58297 60714; 53.12469°N, 4.11913°W
Information	“On the declivity of the mountain, and nearly opposite Dolbadarn castle, on the eastern side of the lake, are extensive slate quarries, the property of Thomas Asheton Smith, Esq. situated high among the rocks ; the mode of conveying the slates down the almost precipitous descent, to the margin of the lake, was formerly singularly awkward, and apparently very dangerous – The carts, each conveying about one ton of slates in winter, and two in summer, were drawn down a serpentine path by one horse in front, and one hooked on behind to counteract the rapidity of motion which other wise would endanger the whole. From the lake the slates were carted in great quantities to the Menai, from whence they were shipped to Ireland, Liverpool, America, &c. To avoid this great labour and danger, about ten years ago, a new railroad was made from the quarries down to the shipping place at Velin Heli on the Menai, a distance of about nine miles. By this road, the slates are conveyed down, at an average, it is said, of about 100 tons daily throughout the year. At this place of activity, generally designated by the name of “Dinorwic Slate Quarry,” above 1000 men are usually employed.” — Joseph Hemingway, Panorama of the beauties, curiosities, and antiquities of North Wales, exhibited in its Mountains, Vallies, Waterfalls, Lakes, Cities and Towns, Castles and Ruins, etc. Intended as a Pocket Companion to the Tourist and Traveller., 1839 Further Reading National Slate Museum; Dinorwic Quarry; Other posts in the Dinorwic Quarry series

‘Llanberis’. Library of Congress collection of Views of landscape and architecture in Wales c. 1890-1900, photochrom prints (a lithographic process producing colourised images from black and white photographic negatives).

Gilfach Ddu from the Quarry Hospital. The former Dinorwic Quarry workshops now house the National Slate Museum.

Gilfach Ddu from above Vivian Quarry