The Victorian development of Penarth transformed it from a coastal hamlet into the fashionable, seaside, residential town for industrial magnates, the well-to-do ; and down at the dock and tidal-harbour, grafters and shirkers alike!

The South Wales valleys shifted its economic and geographical focus from iron and significantly added coal to its menu from c.1840 onwards.

Iron activity grew rapidly following the opening of the Glamorganshire Canal through to the Sea Lock at Cardiff in 1798 whilst coal began to increase with the opening of the Bute Ship Canal in 1839.

We commence this Chapter with a map [528] showing the route of the Glamorganshire and Aberdare Canals showing the principal iron-works it served and the outlet for the exportation of iron products and the importation of iron ore at Cardiff. The ironworks which evolved at Merthyr are as follows:-

Dowlais - (1759 - Guest Family)
Plymouth - (1763 - Richard Hill)
Cyfarthfa - (1765 - Richard Crawshay)
Penydarren - (1784 - Samuel Homfray)