The History of Cardiff Docklands

1782 and beyond….Image:Cardiff Central Library http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=30271&t=1

1782

• “We have no coal exported from this port , nor ever shall , as it would be too expensive to bring it down here from the internal part of the country”

• Customs Officer at Cardiff

1791-94

The Glamorganshire canal was constructed bringing iron from the

valleys.

Image: Glamorgan records Office http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=21061&t=1

Image: Pontypridd Museum http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=29637&t=1

1796-9The Sea Lock was opened at the

mouth of the Taff

Image : Cardiff Central Library http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=31825&t=1

1833First steam boat service between

Cardiff and Bristol.

Image Cardiff Central Library http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/item1/30312

1839Bute West Dock opened

Image :National Museums and Galleries of Wales http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=13514&t=1

1840Opening of the Taff Vale Railway

Image : Pontypridd Museum http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=29602&t=1

1845-55Butetown laid out on reclaimed

marshland

Image : Cardiff Central Library http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=32174&t=1

1855First train of steam coal reached

Cardiff from the Rhondda.

Image :Cardiff Central Library http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=30284&t=1

1855Bute East Dock opened

Image :Cardiff Central Library http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=30282&t=1

1865Penarth Docks constructed to rival Cardiff.

Images: Vale of Glamorgan Council, Library and Information Service

http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=20980&t=1 http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=20979&t=1

1874Roath Basin opened.

Image :Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/item1/6557

1886Cardiff Chamber of commerce and

Coal Exchange opened.

Image: Cardiff Central Library http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=30307&t=1

1887Roath Dock opened.

Image:Cardiff Central Library http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=30259&t=1

1896Pierhead building constructed.

Image :Cardiff Central Library http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=30271&t=1

1907Queen Alexandra Dock opened.

Image ; Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=6551&t=1

1912New Exchange opened following

refurbishment.

Image :Cardiff Central Library http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=30308&t=1

1913• 10.5 million tons of coal exported making Cardiff the premier coal port in the world.

1919• Race riots in Tiger Bay sparked off by post war depression and demobilisation.

1922

• Cardiff Docks taken over by Great Western Railway.

• Formation of the T.G.W.U. out of the dockers and other unions.

1926

• Cardiff dockers join the General Strike.

1930s• Depression hits Cardiff docks very

hard.

1944• Cardiff used in connection with preparation for

Normandy landings.

• Bombings of docklands during World War Two.

1940-1

Image:Gathering The Jewels www.gtj.org.uk

1958• Trade at Cardiff drops to around 2 millions

tons a year.

1960s• Old Tiger Bay and docklands housing demolished

and new Butetown housing and flats built.

Image :Cardiff Central Library http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=32153&t=1

1963• British transport Docks set up –

eliminating Cardiff’s remaining coal exports.

1964• Bute West Dock closed and filled up.

1970

• Bute East Dock closed.

1978East Moors Steelworks shut down.

Image :Cardiff Central Library http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=31675&t=1

1980South Butetown District Plan

prepared. Mount Stuart Square declared a conservation area.

1987

The mission statement of the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation is:

'to put Cardiff on the international map as a superlative maritime city which will stand comparison

with any such city in the world, thereby enhancing the image and economic well-being of Cardiff and of

Wales as a whole'

Cardiff Bay Development Corporation begins operation.

1988

• New South Glamorgan County Hall opens at Atlantic Wharf.

1990

• Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre opens.

1992

• Official opening of Norwegian Church.

1993

•Barrage started.

1995

• New Techniquest opened.

1999

• Welsh National Assembly established in Bay

1999

• Barrage opened

2003

• Work begins on new Assembly Chamber.

2004• Wales Millennium Centre opens.

2006

• New Welsh Assembly Senedd opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.