Britannia Foundry
The first foundry in Porthmadog, used by the FR was called Towyn Foundry, proprietor Thomas Jones in August 1837. By February 1838 the proprietor was John Jones, and by November 1838 he was calling it the Britania Foundry. Later (1842) the name changed to the more common spelling of Britannia.In October 1848 it was advertised for sale in the Caernarfon & Denbigh Herald, the lease having been held by Mr R.Prichard for 5 years. It was announced sold to Miss Margaretta Williams Jones in February 1849.It was put up for sale again in June 1850, and announced as sold to John Henry Williams in January 1851. He was succeeded by his son Robert Williams, who died in February 1927. It was taken over by E. R. Owen probably at that time, although possibly earlier. The foundry used to occupy the site opposite Harbour Station where the new Premier Inn is situated. (The Premier Inn replaced the Tax Office on the site). It was an iron foundry which served the quarrying, mining, shipbuilding and railway industries. The foundry closed in 1971.
A fuller account of the Britannia Foundry and its products can be found in this The Industrial Railway Society article