A Growing Industry

In the 17th Century records from the Welsh Port Books show that the coal industry was rapidly increasing with large shipments of coal from Tenby and Milford going to Ireland and other Western European Countries.

However, it was not always plain-sailing for the industry as indicated by the fluctuations in coal shipments before 1650. Increased shipping duties were implemented by the Crown as a means of making money from an industry that was vastly developing. This led many exporters to reduce their shippments.

The Civil Wars caused great uncertainty and led to several fluctuations in the amount of coal exported. Another factor hampering the development of the coal industry was the presence of pirates in the Bristol Channel and the Irish Sea. The end of the Civil wars and the introduction of a customs officer to protect the seas, the coal industry expanded rapidly during the 1680's and 90's.

By the 17th Century the coal from Pembrokeshire's mines had a number of uses. It was particularly useful for burning and malting lime, which was then used by farmers to neuatralise acid in the land. Stone coal was used by blacksmiths when making cast iron, although it is said that it was not as good as charcoal. Coal was also used to manufacture glass and anthracite was used to dry salt.

The expansion of the Pembrokeshire Coal industry during the 17th Century is likely to be the reason for significant population increases in those parishes where coal mining took place. Figures from historical records show that between 1563 and 1670 the parishes of Begelly, Jeffreston, Lawrenny, Martletwy, Minwear, Reynalton, Slebech, Bouslton, Burton, Freystrop, Nolton and Walton West all had large increases in population - some even doubled. However, other parishes in the County, such as Johnston, Tenby and Loveston experienced a fall in population, suggesting a possible migration of workers to those parishes where there was coal mining.

The demand for coal continued to increase during the 18th and 19th Century, leading to more and more pitts being opened. These were located all across the County with mines at Newgale, Nolton and Little Haven in the West, and Wisemans Bridge and Amroth in the East.