Samuel Dobson (1826-1870)

There are a number of references to Samuel Dobson throughout the descriptive text of the construction of Penarth Dock documented within this website but there seems to be only a few references to him during the remainder of his professional working life. A selection appears below (if you have further information to add it would be greatly appreciated):-

1854 - Samuel Dobson Esq., Treforest, near Pontypridd is listed as Interim Secretary to the Rhymney Valley and Cardiff Railway Company. - 18th August 1854 [156] [361] Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, Glamorgan, Monmouth, and Brecon Gazette.

1856 - 'The directors (of the Ely Harbour and Railway Company) have great satisfaction in stating that they have secured the valuable services of Mr. Hawkshaw and Mr. Dobson, as engineers, upon terms satisfactory to the directors.' - 13th September 1856 [156] [361] Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, Glamorgan, Monmouth, and Brecon Gazette.

1857 - Samuel Dobson, civil engineer of Treforest, Glamorgan. A newspaper article listing subscriptions to the contract to the Ely Tidal Harbour and Railway. John Hawkshaw and John Batchelor are listed as is Samuel Dobson who's financial commitment was stated as 'amount of subs.' £1,000 and 'amount of deposits paid' £100. - 21st February 1857 [156] [361] Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, Glamorgan, Monmouth, and Brecon Gazette.

1857 - A newspaper report upon the inquiry in the colliery rating system in South Wales. 'Mr. Samuel Dobson, examined by Mr. Vivian, - 'I am a mining engineer, residing in Treforest, in Glamorganshire, and am mining agent to the Baroness Windsor, Col. Tynt. Sir G. C. Glyn, Col. Turberville, and manager of collieries producing from 2,000 to 3,000 tons per day. I am well aquatinted with the South Wales mining district. I am generally consulted about mining matters. I have considered the question of rating mines. . . . ' - 27th June 1857 [156] [361] Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, Glamorgan, Monmouth, and Brecon Gazette.

1857 - Advertisement for sale of 'Hafod' Colliery in the Rhondda over a period of some weeks. Contact Mr. Samuel Dobson, Mining Engineer, Treforest, Pontypridd. - 10th and 17th October 1857 [156] [361] Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, Glamorgan, Monmouth, and Brecon Gazette.

1859 - Samuel Dobson was the author of a paper (20 pages) on the subject : 'Reports on experiments made on board the 'Isabella Croll', (screw steamer), at Cardiff, in December 1858, for the purpose of ascertaining the comparative economic value and usefulness, for marine purposes, of the steam coals of Aberdare, in South Wales, and Hartley, in Northumberland.' The original of the document is held at the Cardiff Library. [626]

1861 - Chancery Action against Smith & Knight to "restrain the Company from finishing the partially completed works." Afterwards Samuel Dobson (with John Hawkshaw) resumed construction of the Penarth Dock as superintendent of works.

1861 - The Census of 1861 lists Samuel Dobson residing at Roath House, in the Parish of Llandaff, Cardiff St. John. His occupation is Civil Engineer and confirms he was born in 1827 at Newcastle-on-Tyne, Northumberland. He lives with a house-keeper named Eliza Henderson, a house-maid Lydia Davies and Charles Phillips a groom. [674]

1863 - Radyr Quarry Accident - A newspaper report regarding the deaths of workers at Radyr Quarry has a reference to Samuel Dobson attending the inquest held at the Albion Inn at Canton, Cardiff. Mr. Dobson stated that the 'operations at the quarry were under his direction' as the engineer of the Penarth Dock, Harbour and railway Company. Also an extensive report in the Cardiff Times of the same date. 18th September 1857 [156] [361] Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, Glamorgan, Monmouth, and Brecon Gazette.

1863 - Dobson S., civil and mining engineer, Oscar house, Halswell terr. - Wakeford's Cardiff Directory - [523]

1863 - Advertisement : Coal, Ironstone, and Blackband, in the Llynfi Valley, Glamorganshire. - Several extensive Tracts - workable by level - already won. Railway passing over the properties. Apply Samuel Dobson, Esq., C.E., Cardiff. - 21st March 1863 - [156] [361] - Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, Glamorgan, Monmouth, and Brecon Gazette.
1864 - The signature of Samuel Dobson upon correspondence held at the Glamorgan Archives within the Plymouth Estate records from Samuel Dobson to James Tomson, Lady Windsor's agent, indicating her opposition to the Bute Dock Bill and the Brecon and Merthyr Bill. - 17/18th February 1864 [310] Glamorgan Archives.

1864 - Bute Dock Bill - House of Lords Inquiry - Both Samuel Dobson and John Hawkshaw were in attendance to provide evidence against the proposals of the bill. - 22nd April 1864 [019] [361] Cardiff Times.

1864 - Report by Samuel Dobson (Engineer, Penarth Railway Company) and Henry Voss (of Llantrisant) concerning condition of Mwyndy Viaduct. - October 1864 - National Archives, Kew.

1865 - Official opening of Penarth Dock on 10th June. The 'Engineer' stated:- 'The engineers are Messrs. Hawkshaw and Dobson, but the latter gentleman, as the resident engineer, has had the actual supervision of the work, and his labours in this respect, though of an unusually difficult character, have met with the utmost success, and been highly satisfactory to the company.' - The Engineer [015] [016] 16th June 1865.

1869 - Sale by Auction - of furniture etc. from the residence of Samuel Dobson Esq., at Harwell Terrace, Roath Road, Cardiff. ('Who is changing his residence'). - 19th June 1869 [156] [361] Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, Glamorgan, Monmouth, and Brecon Gazette.

1870 - George Frederick Adams (1842 - 1884) joined the partnership of Messrs. Dobson & Brown, Cardiff which became Dobson, Brown and Adams. [016]

1870 - Deaths - On the 26th inst., at his residence, 11, Queen's Gate Cardens, London, Samuel Dobson, Esq. -30th July 1870 - [156] [361] - Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, Glamorgan, Monmouth, and Brecon Gazette.