Casgliadau Arlein

Hydraulic Power House built for the unfinished Neath Floating Harbour Scheme 1878-1890s. Structure located at NGR SN 730/957, on west side of incomplete New Cut for the River Neath, was intended to power lock gates of floating harbour which was to have occupied the old course of the River Neath, and also coal hoists and other machinery. Internal view looking WNW inside engine compartment which occupied southern part of structure, showing holding down bolts for machinery in right foreground. Hydraulic accumulator tower in left background and free-standing boiler house stack in right background. Wall on right is internal wall dividing engine compartment from boiler house compartment. Roof crease line and purlin holes on side of Hydraulic accumulator tower indicate that power house was completed to the extent of being roofed. Note change in quality of masonry from semi-coursed rubble of the internal wall surface below the crease line, to the squared and dressed masonry of the external exposed wall above the crease line.