Wrysgan Quarry
Wrysgan Quarry was a slate quarry near the village of Tanygrisiau, north Wales.
Description
Wrysgan sits high on the flank of Moel-yr-hydd, to the south of Cwm Orthin. It was separated from Cwm Ystradau by a sharp ridge, through which the quarry bored an inclined tunnel in order to connect to the Festiniog Railway.[1]
On the north side of the tunnel a tramway led to the mill and stacking area, which stood on a small area of flat ground high above Cwm Orthin. To the south of the mill an incline led up to the main floor 3 adit which led west into the chambers underneath Moel-yr-hydd. Further adits lay to the south, accessing other levels.[1]
History
The first slate was worked at Wrysgan in the 1830s. In the 1850s the quarry underwent a substantial expansion, including the construction of a mill on the site. This mill was replaced with a larger facility in 1865 which was powered by a waterwheel supplied from the LLyn Wrysgan reservoir above. Electricity was introduced in 1920.[2]
The quarry closed and the incline was lifted in 1946.[2]
References
