Volume One - Into the Victorian Age - The construction of the dock . . .

	"Penarth. - Contracts were recently let for several large buildings in Penarth, among them a hotel to make up at least 100 beds; also for a Custom-house, Dock-office, Harbour Master's house, twenty sets of merchants' offices, and 100 cottages. These and other enterprises are projected in view of the rapid approach to completion of the new dock." Cardiff Times [019] 3rd June 1864.
	Whilst working on the construction of the dock from May 1864, the young Henry Marc Brunel stayed at the Angel Hotel in Cardiff which he found to be "a very pleasant situation". Henry Marc subsequently relocated to Penarth and lodged at the Bute Cottage which is situated just off Dingle Road.

The Cardiff Times newspaper also published the following charmingly sentimental editorial:

“The Docks. - What a powerful instrument is money! It can level hills and raise valleys, and remove soil which has been accumulating for ages, and distribute it to the four winds. Men fight for it, work for it, steal for it, lie for it, and die for it. Money is a good servant, but a dangerous master.

Some ten years, on the present site of the Penarth Docks, stood a solitary house on the green sward, the favourite haunt of the noisy sea-gull, and pleasure seekers on holidays, where they used to climb the greasy pole and race in sacks, &c. On the margin of the water the shipbuilding yard of Mr. Cooper was situated, in which he built his tiny barks (barques); but all this has disappeared as if by magic.

On this identical spot massive walls have now been erected, and layer after layer of the soil has been excavated. Instead of the noise of the sea-bird, we hear nothing but the puffing and snorting of the iron horse, from early morn until dewey eve, and the noise of the artisans’ tools. The work is fast drawing towards completion, and in a short time the ships of all nations will be seen floating within the enclosure.” Cardiff Times [019] 9th September 1864.