1888-89 - After the fire - Work in progress rebuilding the 'T' warehouse and jetty of the South Wales Public Wharf & Transit Co. Ltd., 'A' site, Victoria Wharf, River Ely. A newspaper reports on progress a year or so after the fire : -

'The Victoria Wharf has undergone a great change since I saw it a few days after the fire. It has rapidly risen from its ashes, and in the re-construction it is taking a much greater shape. There are two immense warehouses on the site nearest Grangetown ; the old one destroyed by fire is being re-built more solidly, and on a larger form. There were four cranes before ; four have been added, all especially adapted for a rapid discharging of cargo. The considerable increase in the wharfage accommodation necessitates more sidings to the railways, and two are soon to be built. In fact, those who remember when the bend of the Ely where the wharves are situated well deserved its fanciful name of Desolation Point would scarcely recognise to-day the place so rapidly transformed by the skill of the engineers and the enterprise of Mr Robert Johnston (should be Robert Johnson) and his fellow directors.' - South Wales Echo [163] [361] 30th October 1889.

A duplicate photograph has a hand-written note stating that the gentleman indicated is their grandfather who was responsible for building the Ely Tidal Harbour. His name? Mr. Robert Johnson the managing director of the South Wales Public Wharf & Transit Co. Ltd. The identity of the grandson or granddaughter is, however, not recorded.

The photograph was taken by Margaret R. Collings of 47, Bute Street Cardiff. It has been converted to sepia tint and adjusted for use on this website. The original albumen print is held at the National Museum of Wales. [629] [Museum item number : 72.104I/11 - also see duplicate 83.95I] [20180310]