• Steamer Discharging Pulp. - The s.s. 'Progress' unloading wood pulp for the Ely Paper Mills at the Penarth Dock northern quayside to be converted into tomorrows' news! - The Railway News [435] 11th February 1911 - [WRRC Resource : TV 125] [737]  The lower image has been colourised.

We often undertook refurbishment work on plant and equipment from the Wiggins Teape paper mills at the Penarth Dock Engineering Company. I recall that Mr. Qunnell the General Manager used to call it the Wiggins Tea Group and everyone used to laugh politely! Then he would tip his bowler hat and depart!!

The paper mill was situated in Canton, on the banks of the River Ely and was established the same year as Penarth Dock opened, 1865. Originally it produced 'Esparto half stuff' for supply to other paper mills. In 1867 the first paper-making machinery was installed and it was acquired during 1877 by Samuel Evans and Thomas Owen of Bath. A paper from 1893 records : 'The company own a large mill in Norway, and ship their raw material from it to Cardiff, which, of course, is an exceptionally well-placed port for imports of esparto, straw, ropes, coals, and the rest of the paper-makers' requirements. Vessels of large burden are chartered continuously for the various shipments from Norway and other countries. The possession of their own pulp works puts the company in an independent position whenever outside causes suddenly increase the price of raw materials.' [071]