'The underneath of the collapsing walkway.' [534] - The underside at river level of the Victoria Wharf on the banks of the River Ely. The timbers look in remarkably good condition at this point. Photographs taken c.1994 by David Lloyd. The lower image has been colourised.

'The view up from the river bank.' [534]

At the time of the 1888 fire there were reportedly approx. 100 men employed.' A contemporary newspaper report commented : -

'The warehouse and wharf were simply fused into one glowing mass of timber, stone, and iron, intermingled with barrels of Russian lubricating oil, bales of esparto grass (owned by the Ely Paper Mills Company), bundles of moss litter, hay, straw, grain, and general produce. On the wharf a number of railway wagons belonging to the company and others owned by the Taff Vale Railway Company were consumed, and four fine hydraulic cranes of the latest and most improved type were also destroyed. All the machinery on the premises was worked by hydraulic power, and smoking, or the use of lights other than electric, was strongly forbidden. Hence the cause of the fire is absolutely incomprehensible.' - Cardiff Times [019]  22nd September 1888.