Volume Six - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - Select Aspects - Working the Ely Tidal Harbour . . .

There are about sixty large baulks in each staith, varying from thirty to sixty feet in length. In those parts where piles had not to be driven, the staiths stand upon frames, which are embedded on concrete and stone, five feet deep, and the uprights are fastened upon horizontal beams by cast-iron shoes and angle-pates. The whole has the appearance of solidity and lightness, fully indicative of the power of mind over matter. Between each tip a footpath is formed, so that perfect communication with each is made at points that render the staiths very accessible to those engaged in working them. Nearest the entrance to the harbour two more coal staiths may be constructed when necessary. The masonry is put in, and is of course available at any time that circumstances may call for their erection.

The ballast staith is not completed. It is 312 feet long, stands on twenty-six rows of piles, many of which are sixty feet long, and is forty-two feet eight inches wide. When finished it will have a number of cranes, and the ballast taken out will be carried to the spot which we have already named as north of the harbour entrance. There will be two turn-tables on the ballast staith. The coal staiths have each one turn-table. Taking our leave of Messrs. Lancaster and Price, the superintendents of different departments of these works, to those intelligent communications we are indebted for the above description, we turn our thoughts for a moment to the dock that has to be made.

The Penarth dock is on the south side of the harbour entrance, and will extend as far as seaward as Mr. Cooper's house, which will by and bye be pulled down, to a point inland where the largest indentation has been made in the cliff before us - that is a little above the temporary bridge which connects the railway works with the south side of the river Ely. To carry coal to the tips on the south side of the dock, the railway will be carried on a high-level. Rails will also be laid on a low level to take iron to the north side of the dock. That railway will, so to speak, dam up Cogan Pill, and cause the cliff from the Pill towards the town of Penarth to be very much cut away yet, although thousands of tone of earth have already been moved.

The harbour and railway works now about completed have been executed by Messrs. Rennie and Co.; the dock contract has been taken by another firm - Messrs. Smith and Knight of London.

In closing, we will add that the harbour master appointed by the company is Mr. Chadwick, and the superintendent of the traffic, permanent way, &c., is Mr. Domville. Cardiff Times [019] 30th April 1859.