Docks, Barry Dock - A postcard from the Penarth Dock Collection showing the Commercial Dry Dock of C. H. Bailey which could be reached by telephone at Barry No. 36 or by telegram at BAILEY, BARRY DOCK. In my time across number one dock it became Bristol Channel Ship Repairers. The main lock entrance to number one dock named the Lady Windsor Lock is situated behind this with the number three dock where the steamer is berthed. Distant are the coal tips of number two dock and the red brick of the Atlantic Mills. On the hillside above left is my old school at Cadoxton which had a amazing view over the docks and Bristol Channel from its elevated location.

The postcard was sent in May 1915 from Barry to and address in Neath. It being wartime the writer writes: 'Dear George - just a word to say sorry I have no time to write a letter just now, in an awful hurry we are under orders for a shift in 24 hrs notice from the War Office don't know where. Your old pal Gwilym' [001]

Barry Docks - A view of number one dock at Barry showing the vast expanse of water the total of all three docks is no less than 114 acres. The postcard is a Valentine's Series card and probably dates to the late 1940's or 1950's. [001]

The following poem, penned by Oscar Lloyd is taken from the periodical Welsh Outlook, Vol. 5, No.8 - August 1918. [434]

An Aerial view of Barry Docks. No. 1 Dock is centre foreground. No. 3 (Basin) centre right and No. 2 Dock at top. A photograph taken from the book 'South Wales Ports' published by the Transport Commission in 1948.

It states that:- 'The growth of Barry as a town and seaport is of comparative recent history and may be regarded as an outstanding example in the industrial development of South Wales. Until the 1880's there existed nothing larger than a village of less than 100 inhabitants, but the construction of a series of docks quickly led to an influx of workers, to such an extent that the town now has population approaching 40,000.

It is not difficult to understand, therefore, that historical references to the place are few and far between. It is known that a castle existed in the vicinity, probably built during in the 13th century, but destroyed in 1402 by Owain Glyndwr during an excursion of plunder and destruction in South Glamorgan. In any event, all that remains is an ivy-clad gateway and portcullis chamber.

In the 18th century, Barry Island had the unenviable reputation of being one of the principal hiding places in the Bristol Channel for pirates and smugglers. It became a miniature fortress and it was only after considerable efforts on the part of the Customs Authorities that it was cleared of its occupants. Now, it is one of the most popular seaside resorts in the Channel.' [203]