Prince of Wales Dock
Theme : Industry

Increases in industrial output and in trade in copper, zinc, iron and tinplate combined with the developments in shipping (whereby steamships of greater tonnage were replacing smaller sailing vessels) meant that by the late 19th century Swansea's harbour was in desperate need of expansion. Such improvements were under the domain of the Swansea Harbour Trust and the result was the construction of the Prince of Wales Dock, the first on the east side of the river. It was 'opened' with great ceremony by the Prince & Princess of Wales (later Edward VII & Queen Alexandra) in 1881, but was not in fact completed until 1882. Owing to a continued increase in trade, even greater dock capacity became essential, so a further extension and a deepening of the channel entrance was made. By 1898 the extension had been completed. The whole North Quay frontage was now let to the GWR and the Rhondda & Swansea Bay Railway Company which linked the coalfields directly with the docks. This resulted in major increases in the export of coal from Swansea. During the late 19th century, the dock's heyday, it was one of the largest and busiest in Britain. Image: Thomas Kell, 40 King St., Covent Garden, Swansea Harbour (detail)

This Item is located at The Museum Stores at Landore in the Stores