Penarth Dock, South Wales - the heritage and legacy

Volume Two - The Era of Optimism, Investment & Development - Developments at the turn of the 20th century . .

The dock is busy with ships of the wind and steam powered variety which are moored up to three abreast at the north quay. The dock is hazy and a southerly breeze wafts the smoke and steam toward Cardiff. Numerous coal wagons await unloading at the tips and the empties await their return journey to their respective collieries.

This postcard dates from after 1905 since the steel coal tip number 13 (the wooden construction of the 1883 number 14 tip is nearest) was installed by Tannett Walker & Co. and prior to 1909, witness that the pontoon is not yet in place. In the distance, situated on the embankment of the River Ely, a vessel appears to be under repair adjacent to, or upon the gridiron of the Penarth Ship Building and Ship Repairing Company Limited.

Just above the title "Penarth Dock & Dock Station" on the far side of the road called Cogan Hill at this point, some schoolboys are viewing the scene. One in white pants and one in a darker pair are standing on the bench looking over the wall! Another treasured postcard from my Penarth Dock Collection. [000] [001]

Only when you enlarge the postcard do you see that it has been badly hand coloured; note the brown wash on the right of the chimney of the hydraulic house and the yellow funnel of the ship. The image does, however, paint a picture of the dock and the harbour literally as a hive of activity. [000] [001]

Penarth Dock & Dock Station - In December 2018, David Ings the author of a number of fine books on the subject of local history, kindly sent me a scan of the original photograph / postcard which was taken between 1901 and 1904 by Martin J. Ridley. It provides a much crisper view of the extent of activity at the dock, the River Ely and the Penarth Roads. Coal trucks from the Great Western and Tredegar Collieries are visible and the group of boys stand on the bench and peer over the wall toward the Penarth Dock Station and the activity beyond. The enlargements have been colourised. [665] [20181221]

Penarth Dock & Dock Station - Yet another postcard view of the same scene by Martin J. Ridley but with much improved hand-tinting. It was addressed to the Chief Steward of the s.s. 'Tregarth' at Barry Docks and posted at Bute Docks, Cardiff at 1.45 pm on 14th January 1908 and arrived at Barry B.O., Glam. at 3.45pm the same day i.e. 2 hours later ; I wonder how often that would occur using a first class stamp in 2019?!! A Penarth Dock Collection heritage postcard record. [001] [20191030] [M.J.R.B.8368]