A posed photograph of navvies, the permanent way men, laying rails at the site of coal tip numbers 19 and 20 situated in the main dock. This photograph was taken after 1900, but prior to 1905. Behind is the Seaman's Mission building and distant are the four new tips (erected 1899-1900) in the basin. The premises of Mr. T. B. Rees, a ship repairer, may be seen to the left. That's a lot of shovels! [000] [002]

The Glamorgan Archives hold the original photograph which is somewhat clearer. Below are some enlargements which give additional detail. I date this photograph after 1900 since the Fielding & Platt coal tips numbers 15 - 18 may be seen distant and prior to 1905 when the Tannett Walker coal tip numbers 19 and 20 were installed at the quayside where these workers are standing. [599] [archive ref : DXGC-168-1] [20171002]

Note the premises of T. B. Rees, Marine Engineer and Shiprepairer, The Missions to Seamen, the Swing Bridge across the lock, the crew member working on the spar and the grim faces of the navvies, tradesmen and their superintendents ; life was a more serious matter then than it is today! I wonder who they all are, Dads, perhaps with their sons and their Granddads ; just like yours and mine. The enlargements below have been digitally colourised.