Volume Nine - Pre-Victorian to the present day - even more aspects - The Board of Trade, Mercantile Marine Offices at Penarth Dock . . .

The imposing facade of the Board of Trade, Mercantile Marine Offices at Penarth Dock built in the Classic French Renaissance style but in a sad, derelict and dilapidated state in August 2017.

•  February 1867 - Contracts Open - 'Tenders are invited for building a block of five houses for merchant's offices, near the pier head. Penarth, Glamorgan. The specification and drawings may be seen at the offices of the Taff Vale Railway Company, Crockherbtown, Cardiff.' - The English Mechanic Vol. IV - [598] - February 15th & 22nd 1867.

The Mercantile Marine offices were created as a result of the Mercantile Marine Act of 1850, which became statute law in January 1851. This Act, required at section 35 : - 'That every seaport in the United Kingdom in which there is a Local Marine Board, such Board shall establish a shipping office or shipping offices, and may procure the requisite premises, and appoint, and from time to time remove and reappoint, superintendents of such offices, to be called shipping masters, with any necessary deputies, clerks, servants, . . . .'