Bronze Age Gold from Wales

Twin cylinder inverted vertical pump from Llanharry iron ore (hematite) mine. Twin cylinder, vertical, inverted steam pump, with a spoked flywheel of 1220mm dia and 'banjo' type pump plunger rods. Used at the Llanharry Iron Ore Mine, Mid Glamorgan untill it closed in 1976. No makers name, but although of a type made by many firms, it has so many styling details that are identical to another pump in the collection (9.21) that I am almost certain that it was built by F. Pearn & Co. Ltd., Manchester. There is a mechanical lubricator fitted, which supplies oil to the steam cylinders - looks to be a later addition. Tubular steel guards at either end of flywheel. Colour - Grey and Black, paintwork not original.

It is not often realised that the iron ore mine at Llanharry, in the Vale of Glamorgan, was an underground mine with shafts and tunnels, just like a coal mine. The two-cylinder steam pumping engine, was used underground at Llanharry to prevent the mine from flooding. The mine closed in 1976. So pure was the water that seeped into this mine – the result of filtering through rock – that some of it was used for domestic supply purposes.

Source: Welsh Industrial & Maritime Museum Guidebook, 1984