1984 – An aerial view below [089] confirming the OS map above [010] with basin and dock dammed off plus the extent of landfill at that time. The basin is tidal and some new industrial units have been built along the northern side of the dock.

Across the river Ely is the Esso terminal with its oil storage tanks which was a major distribution facility for South Wales. In 1985, Esso switched its operations out of the Ely and based it at the port of Avonmouth on the other side of the channel. The Esso Caernavon was the last ship to use the Esso wharf in August that year and the wharf, the last trading berth on the river Ely, was closed on the 14th September 1985. The end of a history of trading ships calling at the River Ely Tidal Harbour for over 125 years! [128]