and the Cob

XS1525/158 W. A. Madocks Due to all the activities arranged to commemorate the two hundredth anni- versary of building the Cob it is timely to look at some documents that give an idea of why and how the embankment was built. The Record Off ce in has a series of letters written by William Madocks that give an insight into the building of the Cob. Examples of these letters and other sources that document the building can be seen amongst this small selec- tion of material from Caernarfon and Meirionnydd Record Offices.

The Cob, 1811-2011 Archives Service William Madocks and the Cob

XS1491/116 Print of Tan yr allt, home of W.A. Madocks William Madocks wasn’t the first to think of building across . Thomas Pennant in his Tours of recounts a letter sent by Sir John Wynn of Gwydir to the engineer Sir Hugh Myddleton in 1625 describing an idea to build some form of embankment. Sir Hugh Myddle- ton’s response was that to undertake such a project would need an individual with energy and plenty of resources. Madocks was indeed wealthy and like his contemporaries had a broad interest in the relationship between the development of transportation and the problem of re- gional communications.

The Cob, 1811-2011 Gwynedd Archives Service William Madocks and the Cob

ZM5447 Map by Thomas Gardner As can be seen from the map crossing the Traeth was difficult. Travellers would hire a guide to lead them across or travel on the ferry.

The Cob, 1811-2011 Gwynedd Archives Service William Madocks and the Cob

ZDBK Map of Traeth Mawr Frightening accounts of the crossing were told such as the one noted in Elizabeth Beaz- ley’s book Madocks and the Wonder of Wales,

‘Though in one sense the ride is charming, yet it can’t fail to excite a degree of horror and after it is past a degree of gratitude at our preservation…’

Such experiences would have proved compelling to Madocks as he added to his estate and reclaimed land in the area.

The Cob, 1811-2011 Gwynedd Archives Service William Madocks and the Cob

Acts and Bills 1807 An Act to implement the work of building across Traeth Mawr was introduced in 1807 and the work started soon after.

The Cob, 1811-2011 Gwynedd Archives Service William Madocks and the Cob

XS3392 Print of the Cob being built 300 men were employed to build the Cob with many of those staying in barracks situ- ated on opposite ends of the embankment.

The Cob, 1811-2011 Gwynedd Archives Service William Madocks and the Cob

XD8/2/11 Letter to John Williams from W.A. Madocks The work was hard and difficult, and numerous problems were encountered such as materials sinking in the sand. John Wil- liams from was employed as Madocks agent. Mad- ocks corresponded regularly with him asking how the work was progressing and issuing orders as seen in this example.

The Cob, 1811-2011 Gwynedd Archives Service William Madocks and the Cob

North Wales Gazette August 29 1811 The work was completed after three years, and as can be seen from the advertisement that appeared in the North Wales Gazette a series of celebrations were held. The same newspaper reported on the celebrations on the 26th of September 1811 noting that Madocks and his friends met at the Madocks Arms Tavern on Monday the 16th of September where an ox was roasted and they were then enter- tained by a performance at the theatre. On the Tuesday the new Church was opened and following the service, further celebrations were held on the Cob. On the Wednesday an was held. The North Wales Gazette praised Madocks for completing the work,

‘That a single individual should attempt, persevere to and at last accomplish so stupendous an under- taking appears truly astonishing’

The Cob, 1811-2011 Gwynedd Archives Service William Madocks and the Cob

XD8/2/90 Letter to John Williams from W.A. Madocks Unfortunately following bad weather the embankment fell in February 1812. Many in the area rushed to help sending men, horses and equipment. Money was collected to help with the rebuilding, a fund was opened under the presidency of Lord Bulkeley. The poet Shelley who was staying at Tanrallt contributed £50 towards the effort. Madocks reaction from the letter sent to John Williams seems to be of resigned practicality. With all the support and contributions the work was completed in 1814.

The Cob, 1811-2011 Gwynedd Archives Service William Madocks and the Cob

XM12130/7/1 Toll tickets Madocks and his descendants went on to levy tolls on those who crossed the Cob as can be seen from the examples of toll tickets shown. In 1978 the Cob was bought by a local trust Ymddiriedolaeth Rebeca. The trustees shared the toll money collected between local charities and societies until 2003 when the Welsh Assembly Government bought the Cob and the toll was abolished.

The Cob, 1811-2011 Gwynedd Archives Service William Madocks and the Cob

XS589/32 Print of the Cob The building of the Cob was an important catalyst to other developments in the area such as the harbour at and the arrival of the railway connecting the area with peo- ple and countries much further af eld than the two counties connected by the Cob.

The Cob, 1811-2011 Gwynedd Archives Service