Penarth Dock, South Wales - the heritage and legacy

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Volume Nine - Pre-Victorian to the present day - even more aspects - Cefn-y-Wrâch . . .

The periodical 'Engineering' [016] [627] reported dredging of the Cefn-y-Wrach in its edition of 19th April 1878 stating ; 'and has cleared away a great quantity of the obstruction'.

The Cardiff Pilotage Board consisted of the following members as reported by the Cardiff Times [019] in April 1878 : The Mayor of Cardiff, Alderman Taylor (chairman) ; Alderman C. W. David ; Alderman Alexander ; Mr McConnochie ; Mr Shepherd (representing the Glamorgan Canal Navigation Company) ; Captain Fraser (Cardiff Dock Master) ; Captain Pengelley (Penarth Dock Master) ; Mr J. Rowlands ; Mr W. Done Bushell (representing the Taff Vale Co.) ; Mr. McAustian. Also present was Mr G Salmon (the town clerk) and Captain Cawley (clerk to the Pilotage Board).

In fairness, I am unable to dredge up much mud that sticks to these members of the Cardiff Pilotage board and I sure that Captain Pengelley was a very well respected gentleman, however, he was the Assistant Dockmaster at the Cardiff, Bute Docks as well! Captain George Cawley some years later became Commander Cawley (died 1910) and by 1896 had founded and become President of the United Kingdom Maritime Pilots' Association. However, there was a difference of opinion of him over in Bristol as this 'balanced' report from the Bristol Magpie [620] of November 1896 illustrates.

'Throwing Mud at Commander Cawley' - The signage proclaims 'Independence & 40 years experience in all classes of shipping matters.'

'It is time there were special measures adopted by the Council to deal with such men as Commander Cawley.' - Councilor Herbert Ashman.

'It is time we had more men like Commander Cawley in the Council to deal with shipping matters and those who are ignorant of them.' - Magpie.

Subsequently, Lieutenant G. Cawley R.N.R. resigned his post as Pilot Master at the Cardiff Pilotage Board in a letter dated 2nd April 1878. It was reported ; 'rather than stand by and see two first-class pilots deprived of their means of living for acting in a cautious way, so as not to imperil two fine ships, he resigned his post.' However, the letter states that his reason for resignation relates to his inability to take up a permanent residence at Cardiff as required by the Board. - South Wales Daily News - [136] [325] - 4th December 1879.

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