Dawlais Works, die Eisen- u. Schienen-Walzwerke des Hauses John Guest, in London

Name of traveller

Carl Klocke

Reason for travel

• study of industry

Date of travel

1844

Man hört die Dampfmaschinen arbeiten, die Gebläße brausen; aus den Fenstern der obern Etage sieht man die Flammen aus den Hochöfen flackern, die daher auch die Schlafzimmer bei Nacht, wie eine ganz nahe Feuersbrunst, erleuchten und es bedarf einer kleinen Gewöhnung, um dabei ruhig einzuschlafen. (Klocke 7)

Content

• architecture: Cardiff Castle described as a picturesque ruin
• industry:
  • detailed study and description of Dowlais iron works
  • rapid development of the Dowlais iron works thanks to increased demand for railways
  • believes that Germany will never achieve the same levels of industrial production as are achieved by the Dowlais iron works
  • detailed description of Dowlais iron works, including production methods, machinery and production volume
  • notes that steam presses are commonly operated by workers who had suffered severe injuries, such as loss of an arm or leg
  • strict observation of weekends at Dowlais iron works; production ceases on Saturday afternoon and Sunday
  • describes infrastructural links between Dowlais iron works and Bute Docks
• people:
  • identification of John Josiah Guest (1785-1852) as the owner of the Dowlais iron works; idealised portrayal
  • sees only content workers and healthy children in Dowlais thanks to the beneficial influence of John Guest
  • significance of John Crichton-Stuart, 2nd Marquess of Bute (1793-1848) for the development of the Cardiff docks
• recreation: recommends touristic exploration of Dowlais hillsides at night to observe the spectacle of industrial fires; compares fires with illuminations and fireworks
• terrain:
  • conflation of Wales and England
  • brief description of Cardiff; pleasant climate
  • identifies the location of Dowlais and describes layout of the village, iron works and attached coal mine
• transport:
  • modes of travel: horse carriage; omnibus; steam boat; train
  • recognises the historical significnance of invention of the steam train for industrial production
  • picturesque views of south Wales landscapes from the Severn or main roads
  • description of a unique, steam-powered railway between Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil
  • description of the development of Bute Docks in Cardiff and their international significance
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Nationality of traveller

German

Language of publication

German

Gender of traveller

Male

Type of publication

report; scientific study

Citation

Klocke, Carl. Dawlais Works, die Eisen- und Schienen-Walzwerke des Hauses John Guest, in London. Stettin : Druck v. H. u. R. Graßmann, 1850. Print.