Volume Twelve - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - further aspects - A History of Penarth Dock by Roy Thorne . . .

"Bombshell Dropped" - "The main topic of conversation amongst the responsible people of Penarth last week was the bombshell dropped in a speech by Sir Robert Horne respecting the lack of trade in South Wales, which may necessitate the closing or at least permitting certain docks more or less to become derelict."

On 30th April the information was officially given that the dock would close on 6th July 1936.

The official notice was : -

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY

TEMPORARY CLOSING OF PENARTH DOCK

Notice is hereby given that on and from Monday, July 6th 1936, and until further notice, vessels will not be admitted into Penarth Dock for the purpose of loading or discharging, nor will any traffic be dealt with at that dock.

Complete access, however, will continue to be given to the premises in Penarth Dock of the Penarth Pontoon, Slipway and Ship Repairing Company Ltd., for all vessels of that company. (Vessels will also be admitted into Penarth Dock for lying up at reduced dock rent).

The tidal berths at Ely Harbour will continue to be available.

JAMES MILNE

This was a devastating blow to the town which already had hundreds of men unemployed. Capt. Arthur Evans, the local M.P., made an appeal in Parliament for the dock to be kept open, but his efforts were in vain.

On Saturday, 4th July 1936, the last ship sailed. She was the "Amiens" bound for Rochefort with coal. There was no cheering, booming of cannons and flag waving as there had been at the docks opening on 10th June 1865. There was only sadness.