Welsh Journals

The Glamorganshire Canal, 1790-1974 (Based on the Outline Account delivered as a Presidential Address on 17 January 1974) W. G. HOPKINS, formerly City Solicitor and Deputy Town Clerk of Cardiff The products of the Merthyr Tydfil ironworks in the latter part of the 18th century were brought down to the port of Cardiff either by way of rough mountain tracks via Gelligaer and Caerphilly, or by the turnpike road along the Taff valley. Transport over the mountains was by horse or mule train, each animal carrying a load in baskets or panniers slung on both flanks. If the journey was made by the valley road horse-drawn waggons were used as well as horse or mule trains. By the end of the 18th century Merthyr Tydfil had become an iron manufacturing town of importance; the population of the parish numbered 7,705 in 1801. By comparison, Cardiff's population was a mere 1,870 inhabitants, but it had a port. Cardiff's shipping activities were concentrated at the river quays on the tidal part of the Taff immediately to the west of St. Mary Street. At this period the river as it flowed below Cardiff Bridge turned in an easterly direction, across what is now the Arms Park, and continued along the west side of St. Mary Street until it reached approximately the site of the present Central Railway Station where it turned away in a westerly direction to take up its present course just above Penarth Road Bridge. Both Quay Street and the Golate, off the west side of present-day St. Mary Street, are landmarks which serve to indicate where the old Town and other river Quays operated before, and indeed for many years after, the opening of the Glamorganshire Canal. John Speed's plan of Cardiff in 1610 shows the river bend below Cardiff Bridge and the street, now named Quay Street, leading to 'The Key' on the riverside. The watercolour of 1776 by Paul Sandby also depicts the river course alongside St. Mary Street, with vessels at the Town Quay and the Golate Quay. The Town quay at the western end of Quay Street was used for general shipping, but according to a Custom's report of 1788 'There are at this Port three private wharves for shipping and landing goods, chiefly iron'. Two of the private wharves were probably the Golate and the Cannon wharves, both being below the Town Quay. The third private wharf would possibly have been lower down the river, beyond the South Gate. The Golate wharf was approached through the lane which is in existence to this day and still named the Golate, and it is believed that this wharf was leased by the Corporation of Cardiff, as owners, to one of the Merthyr ironmasters. The Cannon wharf, adjoining the Golate, was also owned by the Corporation, and derived its name from cannon cast by the ironmasters and tested as well as being shipped from this wharf to Bristol and elsewhere for export to America and other foreign places. Toward the end of the 18th century, the river wharves were unable to keep pace with the demands of the increasing maritime trade, particularly as regards the Merthyr iron- works, of which there were four, Cyfarthfa, Dowlais, Penydarren and Plymouth. Coupled