Unfortunately Harry doesn't give the years but I suspect his recollections commence during the mid-1920's. He goes on to state that his grandfather, father, brother, four uncles and several cousins worked either at the dock or at the Ely tidal harbour in coal-trimming or traffic operations. 'Yes, it was a real family concern.'

He remembers that the dock collector and wharfinger was a gentleman named Sam Thomas and he would ask new employees 'Whose son are you?' and 'Can you get some references?' The wharfinger is a person who takes custody of and is responsible for all the goods delivered to the dock or wharf.

Harry describes the interior of the shipping office with its Dickensian desks complete with the book rail at the top. There was no lounging about and the clerks stood all day whilst they worked, three to each side of the desk. Harry started work at seven o'clock in the morning checking the shipping invoices received overnight.

image above - Mr Samuel Thomas - This photograph appeared in the Cardiff Times in an article about his part in the day to day operation of Penarth Dock published on 4th August 1906. [019]