Barry South Wales in the 40s

[AJ Hawker]

Here is a pic of Barry South Wales about 1940, when coal export was its prime export to all over the world.AJ

[Keith at Tregenna]

By 1871 the population of Barry was just over the 100 mark there being 21 buildings, the new estate-owning Romilly family being involved in the build up of the village but it remained a largely agricultural community.

It grew when it was developed as a coal port in the 1880s. The coal trade was growing faster than the facilities at Tiger Bay in Cardiff ever could and so a group of colliery owners formed the Barry Railway Company and chose to build the docks at Barry.

Work commenced in 1884 and the first dock basin was opened in 1889 to be followed by two other docks and extensive port installations. The Barry Railway brought coal down from the South Wales Valleys to the new docks whose trade grew from one million tons in the first year, to over nine million tons by 1903.

The port was crowded with ships and had flourishing ship repair yards, cold stores, flour mills and an ice factory.

By 1913, Barry was the largest coal exporting port in the world.

Thanks AJ.

A few good old pics here LINK: http://www.oldukphotos.com/glamorgan_barry_island.htm

K.

[Don Rafferty]

Something that struck me about the photo was the way the railway lines were at right angles to the ship, involving a lot of shunting of wagons etc., it looks like the unloading of wagons was mechanised in some way, but would have been simplified if the railway lines and ships were parallel. I'm sure the above could be explained by the constraints of hills and mountains.

Another thing was the size of the lock, was the one visible the only entrance to the harbour - looks awfully small compared to the size of ships already there!

[Ivan Cloherty]

Loaded coal in Barry

If the rail lines had been parallel to vessel, it would have slowed loading and caused a lot more shunting, the way shown is the best way ( the mountains have no relevance). The rail lines approached the tipping tower on a level line, heaved in by capstan, tilted and discharged, then turntabled onto 2nd line with an incline downwards, so free wheeled down to contact the wagon in front. If there where no wagons in front one of the guys used to hop on a step on the wagon and when sufficient distance away from hoist apply the brake and then latch it into position, so next wagon hit without it shooting the front wagon further down the line. This system was used in many coal loading ports.

The locks were narrow, but so were the old ships which is why they rolled their guts out even in a moderate swell

[David Williams]

Here is a pic of Barry South Wales about 1940, when coal export was its prime export to all over the world.AJ

Hi Allan.
It hasnt changed that much over
the years,has it.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave Williams

[AJ Hawker]

Don there are two entrances the lock gates as you see them, then a little to Port see a little bridge that's the basin entrance for ships with a wider beam, will dig out more info.
AJ

[AJ Hawker]

Don another pic of the entrance to Barry docks, Lady Windsor lock could take i think ships up to a 65' beam and the Basin entrance could take ships up to a 80' beam.Port-side dry-docks, centre Lady Windsor Locks and starboard Basin Entrance
AJ

[Keith at Tregenna]

Can and will provide much more, just holiday period.

BACK ASAP.

K.

[Don Rafferty]

The rail lines approached the tipping tower on a level line, heaved in by capstan, tilted and discharged, then turntabled onto 2nd line with an incline downwards,

Looking at the picture again with that knowledge, it all makes a lot more sense - thanks.

[Keith at Tregenna]

COAL TIPS:

Not one left in Barry, a bit like how the Big Pit would be without a mine:

We still have hopes for a museum, but guess now we would have to borrow many exhibits ?

Thanks for the posts and pics guy's, they are both important and of great interest.

Hopefully, next year (Tomorrow) I can add to all ?

Ta, K.