Hi,
Listers may be interested in the following extract from a report which was
published, along with similar reports of the most populated areas in
Glamorgan, towards the end of the 19th century by the County Medical Officer
for Glamorgan, William Williams M.A., M.D., D.P.H. (Oxon). If anyone is
interested I have the full report on file.
Briton Ferry
Population: 1881 6,061; 1891 5,778 Area in acres: 1,381
The small town of Briton Ferry, two miles south of Neath, is situated on the
Swansea Bay, close to the estuary of the Nedd. The district, which is most
beautiful, was once much celebrated for the attractive charms of its
scenery, but which are now somewhat impaired by its iron, steel, and
tin-plate works. The climate is said to be very mild; the situation is
completely sheltered from the north and east, but open to the south, facing
the Swansea Bay and Bristol Channel. The district is of but a limited area,
covering only 1,381 acres, and surrounded on the north, east and west by the
Neath Rural District. It was constituted into an Urban District in 1864.
It has a population of over 6,000, which consists essentially of the
industrial classes, the various industries above enumerated affording
employment. It has a railway communication, and main high roads east and
west. It boasts of a small but convenient dock, capable of floating vessels
of 1,500 to 2,000 tons. The imports are mostly iron ore (from Spain) and
timber (from Russia and America), while the export is coal. The town
generally is built on alluvial deposit, and in some parts is eight to ten
feet below high water level. Naturally the soil is damp and boggy. The
district generally is undulating and hilly, and its natural drainage towards
the estuary of the Nedd. In the higher and hilly parts, the principal
geological formation is the Pennant sandstone, while in the lower parts
alluvium is found.
House Accommodation. The houses are well built, in fairly good repair,
generally provided with spouting, but barely sufficient for the increasing
demand of the district. Nearly all are supplied with water-closets, many of
which, however, are without proper flushing apparatus and out of repair.
Throughout the town there are several back-to-back houses, such as at The
Square, Regent Street West, Slaughter-house Row, and Silon Road. They are
all companies houses, and mostly together in one corner of the town. As
there is no impediment to the free circulation of air in their environments,
they cannot be considered as unfit for habitation. The house drains are
mostly ventilated, trapped, and disconnected from the houses. There are no
common lodging-houses, and houses let in lodgings are said not to be
overcrowded.
The w.c.s, courts, alleys and areas about dwellings are thoroughly
lime-washed once yearly. The lime is supplied by the Authority. It is a very
excellent practice, and certainly conducive of better health. There are no
insanitary areas as described in part 1 of the Housing of the Working
Classes Act.
Water Supply. The water supply is the same as that of the Borough of Neath,
and impounded in a reservoir some short distance above the town. On analysis
it is said to yields good results, and is generally supplied on the constant
service principle, but lately on account of the general scarcity of water
caused by this long-continued dry weather, the supply has been intermittent,
and only for a few hours daily.
Sea Water is used for watering the streets; the idea is an excellent one,
for not only does salt water keep down the dust, but it is a powerful
disinfectant and a strong germicide.
The port of Briton Ferry is under the jurisdiction of the Swansea Port
Sanitary Authority, and the Medical officer of Health (Dr Pegge) acts as
assistant Medical Officer of Health for the Port of Briton Ferry.
The Bakehouses and Cowsheds of the district are said to be frequently
inspected, and found clean and in a sanitary condition.
The death rate for 1892 was 15.5 per thousand inhabitants as compared with
21.5 for 1891.
11th May 1893
Best Wishes,
Clive - Writing from Porthcawl.