On a chilly March morning, I walked with a friend along the tow-path alongside the Swansea Canal,
beginning near Ystalyfera and ending about four miles to the southwest in Pontardawe, Glamorgan. Here
the canal water is diverted into the River Tawe. The canal channel disappears for about a quarter mile, then
continues to the southern edge of Clydach before finally disappearing
under more recent constructions.
This canal is one of several built in Wales in the late 1700s to provide transport of ores and
other supplies in support of the burgeoning mining industries. Their use slowly declined with the
coming of railway systems, but many were still in use commercially as late as the 1930s. |
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| Above: Near Ystalyfera, the canal becomes
a quiet woodland stream reflecting the bright blue sky through the leafless branches overhead. |
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| Above: This old ivy-wrapped oak tree by
the narrow path was probably witness to many scenes of a narrow, horse drawn barge being
towed along here. The horse would have been unhitched at tunnels or low bridges. The horse
then walked around the impediment while the "bargee" moved the barge through the opening by
lying on his back on top of the barge or load and "walking" his feet along the "ceiling" of
the passageway. The horse waited for the bargee on the other side where it was put back into
the harness and the trip continued. |
| Left: These sunken remains, overgrown with
weeds, show that barges were long and narrow. The canal was just wide enough to allow two
barges to pass each other. |
| Right: This "half-a-barge," left on the
canal bank, indicates the width, depth and prow design of a typical barge.
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| Below: Near Pontardawe the canal becomes wider
and the path is well maintained. Notice where the path goes under the bridge - there is only
enough room for one barge at a time to go through. |
| Below: A system of locks was
used along the canal to allow barges to go up and down hills. Some remains of them are still in
evidence.
Left: A "key" was used to operate the sluice gate (the dam under the water overflow seen
here) which controlled the flow of water into and out of the lock. A key (handle) was
inserted into the opening of a device such as the one pictured. The lock-keeper then wound
the gate up or down allowing the water to flow or to stop the flow. When the water level was
the same on both sides of the lock gates, they could be pushed open with a long lever attached
to the gate. Otherwise, the pressure of the water kept the gates closed.
Right: Steps rise from the bottom level of a lock to the top. Notice the narrow
passageway, wide enough for only one barge at a time. |
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| Above: Small cottages/offices, such as
this one, were built to shelter the lock-keeper. When a barge arrived, he would tend the
horse and manage the sluice and lock gates while the bargee carefully piloted his craft
through. The horse probably enjoyed the chance to rest, get a drink of water and perhaps
munch a bucket of oats. For the rest of the walk, please turn to
Page 2. |
*Unless otherwise noted, all photos
on this website were taken by Venita
who also holds the copyright. Should you wish to download any of them for any purpose (other
than your own enjoyment), please credit Venita
as the photographer and add my homepage URL:
http://homepage.mac.com/venitar/home.html
Comments are appreciated!
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