West Dock, Cardiff - A postcard view from around the turn of the 20th century showing the utilisation of the coal tips and and vessels awaiting loading, thus illustrating the extent of the trade from the South Wales coal ports at that time. A heritage postcard view held within the Penarth Dock Collection. [001]

An Act of Parliament of 1830 resulted in the “The Bute Ship Canal” which opened for trade during October 1839. Subsequently, it became the known as the West Dock. In 1841, the Taff Vale Railway Company leased and installed railways on the eastern quayside of the dock for the exportation of steam-coal in support of the numerous collieries which were being developed in the valleys to the north of Cardiff.