Volume Six - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - Select Aspects - Trade at Penarth - 1938 - 1949 . . .

During the last war, Penarth Dock was re-opened and considerable tonnages of war material were dealt with on behalf of the British and Allied Governments. With the cessation of hostilities and the consequent reduction in the volume of traffic passing through the South Wales Ports, it again has been necessary to close the dock except for ship-repairs and lying-up.

Particulars of the accommodation and facilities normally available were listed.

Penarth Harbour

Penarth Tidal Harbour is situated in the estuary of the River Ely (from which it takes its name by which it is sometimes known), and has a water frontage of 13,000 feet on the north side and 3,000 feet on the south (or dock) side.

Four coal shipping appliances, each capable of shipping 200 tons per hour, are installed on the north side of the Harbour, where vessels up to 800 tons burthen may take ground at low water and be loaded in that position. The depth of water at the berths varies from 20 feet H.W.O.N.T. to 30 feet H.W.O.S.T.

There are extensive wharves and warehouses belonging to the South Wales Public Wharf and Transit Co., which provide accommodation for cargoes of grain, flour and general merchandise, as well as large and complete petroleum and motor spirit tank storage, the property of the Anglo-American Oil Company. The National Benzole Company, R.O.P. Ltd. and Regent Petroleum Co., Ltd., have also erected depots at the Harbour for storage of motor spirit."