Volume Thirteen - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - Penarth - born of the economic and geological shift from iron to coal. . . . .

Timeline for the First Dock at Cardiff - 'Bute Ship Canal Act'

1822 - The 2nd Marquess of Bute, John Crichton-Stuart, [1793-1848] proposes the construction of a dock at Cardiff with the intention of exploiting the extensive mineral wealth of the South Wales coalfield.

1828 - James Green, [1781–1849] the eminent canal engineer, was appointed by Bute and produces a report and this plan for a dock and canal extension scheme.

1829 - Thomas Telford, [1757-1834] was subsequently appointed and revised Green's plans and a Bill is prepared for presentation to Parliament.

1830 - A bill is presented to Parliament based on Telford's alterations, and despite opposition from the Glamorganshire Canal Company, the Monmouthshire Canal Company and the Melingriffith Works, the 'Bute Ship Canal Act' receives Royal Assent in July 1830.

1833 - Bute has concerns about the original plans of the docks and sanctions revisions proposed by William Cubbitt [1785-1861].

1834 - The amended 'Bute Ship Canal Act' was passed and work commenced during December 1834. The revised dimensions were 4,000 feet in length x 200 feet wide being 18 acres in area.

1839 - The 'Bute Ship Canal' opened during October that year but was subsequently renamed the 'Bute West Dock' during July 1855.

1839? - Coal drops at The Bute Ship Canal, Cardiff.