Volume One - Into the Victorian Age - The official opening of the docks . . .

As on land single lines of railway had everywhere given place to double lines, and new lines laid down, so in our ports fresh accommodation must be provided for our mercantile marine. The great development of trade with France, which had resulted from the commercial treaty with that country, was only one of numerous symptoms that the trade of this port would continually increase, and amply suffice to occupy the docks at both Penarth and Cardiff. As between England and France the most friendly feelings had been created by commercial intercourse, how much closer would not the bonds of unity become between the Taff and the Ely. For his own part, connected as he was with the Principality, he could not witness without the greatest pride and admiration the development of its mineral resources, as well as agricultural, manufacturing, and commercial progress. He congratulated the directors of the Penarth Company upon the instances they had this day added to the numerous ones already existing, in which the Celtic fire had given new development to the enterprises of the Anglo-Saxon industry. (cheers.)

The Chairman, in responding, remarked that the directors of the Penarth Company sincerely reciprocated the sentiment of Earl Powis, that there should be no ungenerous feelings of rivalry between their interest and that of the Cardiff Docks. They believed that there was ample traffic to keep both undertakings fully and profitably employed, for it must be remembered that the traffic had vastly increased since this dock was first projected. Yet, even then, it was felt that there was an actual necessity for this dock to be constructed. This scheme originated with his deeply deplored colleague in the direction, the late Hon. Mr. Clive, with whom also the late Mr. Powell, and the lamented Rev. Geo. Thomas, felt a deep interest in it, feeling that there was an absolute necessity for further dock accommodation. He was proud, in the name of the directors, to acknowledge the honour of the presence of such a company as this occasion of the inauguration of the undertaking. The Penarth company had had many difficulties to contend with. As the noble proposer of the toast had said, they had been beset by financial difficulties, as well as difficulties of the ground and from water. Bur not withstanding all, the work had been successfully completed, and he believed it would be the means of affording a large amount of accommodation to the district. It had been constructed with idea, and had no doubt that the hopes of the directors would be fully realised. In the course of a few days the undertaking would be passed over to the hands of a company well known to all present - the Taff Vale Railway Company. The management by that company of their own concern had been unusually fortunate, and he trusted that in taking hold of this, they would find it beneficial to themselves, and as preposterous to their own shareholders as the Taff Vale line had been to them.