Page "Cyfarthfa Ironworks" Paragraph 7

Under Richard Crawshay, the Cyfarthfa works rapidly became an important producer of iron products.

Great Britain was involved in various naval conflicts during this time around the British Empire, and the demand for cannon and other weapons was great.

The Cyfarthfa works became critical to the success of the war effort, so much so that Admiral Nelson paid a personal visit to the works in 1802.

The Crawshay family crest included a pile of cannon balls in token of the crucial role of their ironworks.

Richard passed on the responsibility for the works to his son, William, but the latter was less committed to the business than his father.