Volume Six - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - Select Aspects - The Penarth Harbour, Dock & Railway Co. dispute with Messrs. Smith, Knight & Co. . .

The contract for construction of the dock was placed in 1859, but by 1861 the Penarth Co. were seeking Chancery Action against Smith & Knight to "restrain the Company from finishing the partially completed works." The events were publicised in the local and national media.

1859 - Cardiff - "The second contract for railway and dock works at Penarth, has been given to Messrs. Smith and Knight, of London who are, perhaps, the largest contractors in England, having at present in hand contracts to the amount of £7,000,000 sterling. the amount of their tender is £300,000. That of Messrs. Wanser was £70,000, and that of Messrs. Logan and Co., between £50,000 and £60,000 above the Messrs. Smith and Knight. The other contractors tendering were Messrs. Brassey and Co., Messrs. Tredwell, Messrs. Lee and Son, Messrs. Attersley and Co., Mr. Joseph Firbank, and Mr. Nelson." Monmouthshire Merlin [167] 19th February 1859.

1859 - Penarth Harbour Works - " The Directors on Saturday let the contract for the whole of their harbour and railway works to Messrs. Smith and Knight, the works to be completed in 1861." Cardiff Times [019] 19th February 1859.

1859 - Penarth - "The works at this place are now assuming the appearance of energetic enterprise, by the spirited contractors Messrs. Smith and Knight, Great George-street, Westminster. The great outlay in material, such as engines, pumps, &c., which have been erected on different parts of the works, indicate that the works will be carried on with greater activity than hitherto. The chief obstacle which has prevented a larger number of men being employed is nearly removed, as we are informed the cutting at Cogan Pill through the estate of J. S. Corbett, Esq. will be completed in two or three weeks, which is the outlet for the excavations from the dock, to be conveyed to form the embankment over the moors. Arrangements are being made to commence the masonry as soon as practicable, a temporary tramway being laid over the moors to the Penarth Harbour Railway to convey stone and other materials to the docks." Cardiff Times [019] 17th December 1859.

1860 - The Underground London Railway - "Steps are at length being taken for the purpose of giving effect to this long talked about project. A commencement has actually been made with the works by Mr. John Kay and Messrs. Smith and Knight, the contractors. Shafts are being sunk at several places along the line of the proposed railway. One has been opened on the unoccupied piece of land at King's-cross, near the railway station, and another near Euston-square. When a sufficient depth has been reached the excavators will commence tunneling . . " Illustrated Usk Observer and Raglan Herald [204] 11th February 1860.