Volume Nine - Pre-Victorian to the present day - even more aspects - The Custom House and Dock Offices . . .

As stated previously, these statements about Samuel Dobson have been replicated many times by local historians and other heritage organisations alike in relation to the Custom House design.

The contracts were reported as 'recently let' for the construction of the Customs House in the Cardiff Times [019] of 3rd June 1864 and whilst I accept that Mr. Dobson's employment had been secured, together with John Hawkshaw, as engineers for the Ely Tidal Harbour and Railway Company, (as reported on 13th September 1856 [156] ) I conclude, it seems more likely that the designs came under the auspices of John Hawkshaw and his consultancy in London.

The Penarth Company's brief would I feel have been to provide a dock system complete with the appropriate administrative offices and facilities. There would have undoubtedly been architects with the necessary education and experience to design and facilitate the construction of such distinctive buildings as the Customs House and Mercantile Dock Offices as Mr. Hawkshaw's work was so diverse and he was so well connected. I can find no evidence to support the notion that Mr Samuel Dobson had acquired the necessary skills to design such buildings.

However, whoever designed and built the Marine Hotel is a quandary since it seems to be constructed in a completely different and simply functional style to its classically stylish neighbours.

A Chapter named 'Dock Family Trees' has detailed information about the life and times of both Samuel Dobson and John Hawkshaw.