Dinorwic Slate Quarry
Dinorwic was at one time the second largest slate quarry in the world (the biggest being nearby Pen Rhyn). It was quarried for more than 200 years, leaving terraces to a height of over 600 metres high, and at its peak it employed over 3000 people. But the work was hard, really hard. Before the arrival of modern transport, quarrymen traveled on foot from as far afield as Anglesey each week, crossing the Menai Straits, or walking up from Caernarfon on a Sunday evening and staying in the quarry barracks until Saturday lunchtime, when they returned to their families and communities for only 24 hours before starting their return journey to work.
The quarrymen had to undertake a 5 year apprenticeship, and while the work was skilled, it was dangerous, dirty, unhealthy and poorly paid. The rockmen had to learn to use explosives, and how to handle heavy hammers and chisels while dangling on ropes wound round their legs and body to leave their hands free to work at the terraces of slate. These men worked in all weathers, and worked only on a monthly contract basis. It was only in the 1960’s did the workers start to enjoy a reasonable rate of pay, but the quarry shut in 1969, leaving 300 men out of work.
However, not long after this, construction of the Dinorwig hydro-electric power station started and brought work for 2000 people during it’s 10 years of construction, many of whom had lost their jobs when the quarry shut.
The word ‘epic’ is often used in urbex, but at 324 hectares, I can think of no other word to describe the place. Due to my earlier prevaricating, I only had an afternoon to explore, and didn’t even get to the upper terraces of the C4 incline where there’s all manner of stuff to see and do, so a re-visit later in the year is definitely on the cards!
An excellent history of the North Wales slate industries is available here: http://www.penmorfa.com/Slate/
This bit of the site is also worth looking at - live infiltration 1967 style!
http://www.penmorfa.com/Slate/Dinorwic-1967.htm
The quarrymen had to undertake a 5 year apprenticeship, and while the work was skilled, it was dangerous, dirty, unhealthy and poorly paid. The rockmen had to learn to use explosives, and how to handle heavy hammers and chisels while dangling on ropes wound round their legs and body to leave their hands free to work at the terraces of slate. These men worked in all weathers, and worked only on a monthly contract basis. It was only in the 1960’s did the workers start to enjoy a reasonable rate of pay, but the quarry shut in 1969, leaving 300 men out of work.
However, not long after this, construction of the Dinorwig hydro-electric power station started and brought work for 2000 people during it’s 10 years of construction, many of whom had lost their jobs when the quarry shut.
The word ‘epic’ is often used in urbex, but at 324 hectares, I can think of no other word to describe the place. Due to my earlier prevaricating, I only had an afternoon to explore, and didn’t even get to the upper terraces of the C4 incline where there’s all manner of stuff to see and do, so a re-visit later in the year is definitely on the cards!
An excellent history of the North Wales slate industries is available here: http://www.penmorfa.com/Slate/
This bit of the site is also worth looking at - live infiltration 1967 style!
http://www.penmorfa.com/Slate/Dinorwic-1967.htm
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