Volume Two - The Era of Optimism, Investment & Development - The age of global trade and optimism . . .

The coal trade continued to expand until the zenith of trade occurred in 1913. The first World war was looming; 1914 - 18 provided gave impetus to the need for coaling the merchant fleet as well as the navy in order to protect our shores and provide supplies.

The second decade of the century, however, saw the beginning of the end for the coal trade for South Wales in general, but for Penarth in particular, as oil began to supersede coal. The major disadvantage with coal was the need to put into port and manually load and then to dispose of the ash and clinker whereas, oil could be transported and stored in tanks, loaded much more quickly and conveniently by piepline and there was no ash and less need for manual intervention to keep the boilers alight.

Then came Mr. Rudolf Diesel, who in the 1890's had built an engine which ran on oil. This was developed and began use in ships in the early part of the century. It spawned further need for engineering facilities at the ports to support ship repair.

	The shipping of the first and second decade was progressively becoming more technologically advanced as this postcard from around 1905 indicates.
	The technology of the pontoon or floating dock had advanced significantly after 1900 and the Cardiff pontoon was found to be a reliable, cost effective and more flexible solution to the provision of ship repairing facilities at the dock in comparison to the outdated and inflexible slipway and gridiron.