Volume Ten - Pre-Victorian to the present day - even more aspects - Penarth Harbour, Dock & Railway Company . . .

The Ely Tidal Harbour Bill and the Penarth Harbour, Dock and Railway Acts of 1856 and 1857, authorised the construction of a tidal harbour, a wet dock together with the connecting railway infrastructure. I found the Minutes of the Board of Directors of the Penarth Company which provide a fascinating insight into the management of the Ely Tidal Harbour Company, later renamed the Penarth Harbour, Dock, and Railway Company, from conception through construction and onto operational aspects. Many thanks to the staff of the Cathays Heritage Library, Cardiff [701] for their kind and informed assistance in my research.

Extracts from Minutes of the Ely Tidal Harbour & Railway Company :

10.7.1855 : Meeting of "Ely Tidal Harbour & Railway Co." to consider expediency of applying to Parliament in the next session for powers to make a railway from the Taff Vale Railway at some point near Mr. Booker's weir to the mouth of the River Ely and to make shipping places in that river.

15.9.1855 : Resolved, that a branch be made to the Glamorganshire Canal. Mr. Hawkshaw to be approached to act as Consulting Engineer.

3.11.1855 : Resolved, that the proposed junction with the South Wales Railway be deferred. [John Batchelor esq. on board from 26th October]

5.8.1856 : The Secretary presented a copy of the Act which received Royal Assent on the 21st July 1856.

25.8.1856 : Resolved, that Mr. Dobson be requested to proceed with the preparation of working plans and sections, and that a trail pit as recommended by Mr. Dobson be also commenced forthwith.