Volume Six - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - Select Aspects - Various dock schemes which failed . . .

In this, looking at the magnitude of the undertaking, and the peculiar facilities it will present for the profitable investment of commercial capital in this prosperous district, we are of the opinion, that he is not too sanguine, and we cannot help thinking that the advent amongst us of the great capitalists who have recently purchased the Cyfarthfa Iron Works and the Glamorganshire Canal will assist in no inconsiderable degree to the successful accomplishment of his design. We will add too, that all identified with the interests of Cardiff, are anxiously looking to the course which Lord Bute will take the matter, and after all, without his assent, the scheme as it stands will be impossible. With his assent it is already accomplished. An opportunity such as this, is presented to a man but once in his life, and if he seizes it Lord Bute will then show that he inherits the prescience of his father, and will associate his name with an era in the history of Cardiff unexampled by any other port in the kingdom." Cardiff Times [019] 27th September 1873.

1873 - A grand scheme for the enlargement of the docks at Cardiff has been brought forward by Mr. Batchelor before the Chamber of Commerce. The insufficient dock accommodation now existing was shown, and an admirable plan drawn out for remedying it. Mr. Batchelor pointed out that there would be no difficulty in floating the estuary formed by the Taff and the Ely, and thus forming docks which would be unrivalled for economy of construction and area.

The works would consist of a groin projecting out from Penarth Head on to the Cefn-y-Wrach, and another groin, 150 ft. to 200 ft. apart, on the Cardiff Flat, retiring eastward on the line of the channel, but receding from it until it swept into the coast somewhat beyond the boundaries of the borough. From these groins an embankment would be extended in horse shoe shape across the Mudcut over the toe of the East Mud, near the Eastern Hollow, across the West Mud, across the Ely River, and ending at the north pier of the Penarth Dock. The basin thus formed would be 250 acres in extent. The dock would consist of a South Bute float, 2700 ft. long, 750 ft. mean breath, with 110 acres of water space, access to which would be by two locks from the tidal basin ; a great import dock formed out of the Taff ; and the Ely Float. It will be seen that the undertaking is a gigantic one, but so also are the prospects opening out in the district.

It was stated before the Chamber of Commerce that the increased output of coal anticipated by the time the docks would be completed would not fall short of three and a half million tons. - The Engineer [015] [499] 4th July 1873.