Volume Twelve - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - further aspects - Mercantile Marine Offices - An article from the Nautical Magazine for 1876. . . .

What was the purpose of the Marine Dock Offices at the entrance to Penarth Dock? This article clarifies the matter and is taken verbatim from the Nautical Magazine for 1876. [240] [499] It also mentions the situation at Penarth Dock about 10 years after the Maritime Marine Offices were built adjacent to the Custom House. The history of these two buildings has been covered previously at the Chapter entitled 'The Custom House and Dock Offices'.

"The Seas But Join The Nations They Divide"

                                      MERCANTILE MARINE OFFICES.

ONSIDERABLE discussion has arisen, from time to time, as to the utility of Mercantile Marine offices. With a view to put the question fairly before our readers, the following remarks have been penned.

The establishment of Mercantile Marine offices dates specifically, or rather legally, from the 14th August, 1850, the day when "The Mercantile Marine Act, 1850," received Her Gracious Majesty's assent. That Act came into operation on the 1st day of January, 1851. The 35th Section of that Act provides, "That in every seaport in the United Kingdom in which there is a Local Marine Board, such Board shall establish a shipping office or shipping offices, and may procure the requisite premises, and appoint, and from time to time remove and re-appoint, superintendents of such offices, to be called shipping masters, with any necessary deputies, clerks, and servants, and have complete control over the same, subject to the approval and immediate direction of the Board of Trade" The same Act prescribes the duties of the officers ; and also that, with the consent of the Commissioners of Customs, the duties may be performed by Customs' officers at any Custom House.

This Act was repealed, or rather extended and confirmed by "The Merchant Shipping Act, 1854." In it similar clauses were embodied, and the duties of the officials more elaborated.