The Penarth Porthladd Trust

History in images:

Using a collection of images, supplied courtesy of Alan Thorne, local historian, we follow the story of Penarth as a working dock, from its construction in the 1860s, through its coal exporting heyday in the early 20th Century and its important role during the Second World War to its decline in the 1960s.

As well as illustrating the history of The Dock itself, we highlight some of the famous vessels that have been associated with Penarth as a port over the past two hundred years. In particular we focus on the "Passat and Pamir."

Please click on a category that you would like to focus on, to see the images:

• Pre-Dock era - Before construction in the 1860s
• Dock Building - During construction in the 1860s
• Dock Working - Early to mid 20th Century
• War and Peace - 20th Century, including World War II
• Chain Ferry, Subway & "Pont y Werin" - Crossing the River Ely, then and now
• Seamens' Strike - Unrest in "Dagger Town" before World War I
• Last of the "Windjammers" - The Pamir & Passat
• Vessels of Note - Some well known vessels that have been associated with Penarth
• Ship & Boat Building