Volume Eleven - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - some more aspects - Handbook to Penarth Dock & Ely Tidal Harbour - 1904 . . .

Penarth Harbour

Penarth or Ely Tidal Harbour is also under the control of the Taff Vale Railway Co., and, like Penarth Dock, is directly connected to its railway and the general railway system of the country. It has a water frontage on the North side of 13,000 feet, and on the South or Dock side of 3,000 feet. The water area is about 55 acres. There are six hydraulic tips on the North side of the Harbour, each capable of shipping 200 tons per hour ; vessels not exceeding 800 tons burthen take the ground at low water, and can be loaded with safety in that position.

The depth of water at the berths varies from 20 feet ordinary neap tides at 30 feet ordinary spring tides. A jetty, fitted with hydraulic cranes, &c., affords facilities for the discharge of cargo or ballast, and there are extensive wharves and warehouses belonging to the South Wales Public Wharf and Transit Co., which provide accommodation for cargoes of grain, flour, and general merchandise, as well as a large and complete petroleum storage installation.

There is a postal telegraph office at the Tidal Harbour, and direct telephone communication with the offices of the Company at the Exchange, Queen Street, Cardiff, and the Dock Offices, Penarth.

Old Chain Ferry-Boat.