692 REPORT— 1880. 



or river Tawe, with an opening portion of 60 feet span ; and another across the lock 

 of the North Dock of 72 feet span, both of which were executed by the firm of Sir 

 William Armstrong and Co., and are worked by hydraulic power. 



In connection with these works extensive viaducts had to be constructed through 

 the town and along the quay of the South Dock, for the shipment of coal from the 

 high level by hydraulic drops, also constructed by Sir W. Armstrong and Co. 

 These works were all completed aboiit the year 18G3, and the immediate result was 

 an increase in the tonnnge of the port fi'om the year 1851, the period of the com- 

 pletion of the first or North Dock, from 269,554 tons to 847,823 tons during the 

 past year. 



During south-westerly gales it was found that the Western Pier, from its ter- 

 mination being slightly within or landward of that of the Eastern Pier, afforded inade- 

 quate protection from those gales, and in consequence a considerable inrun of the sea 

 existed within the Harbour, and the sand also driven coastward during south- 

 westerly winds occasionally blocked up the entrance. In order to remedy these 

 defects, and to form a defined channel o^er the foreshore to low-water mark, an 

 extension of the Western Pier was decided upon and completed for a length of 

 1000 feet in 1863, the result being that the inrim of the sea no longer existed, and 

 the entrance channel formed by dredging jxtri passu with the extension of the 

 pier maintained its depth by the prolonged defined direction of the ebbing tidal 

 current. 



Subsequently, hi 1875, it was determined to further prolong the pier an additional 

 1000 feet, which was completed in 1877, the efiect being a stiU further increase in 

 the depth of the chaimel, which has been maintained ; so that, at present, instead 

 of 20 feet at spring tides, which existed in 1849, tliere is now an available depth of 

 about 28 feet, which is conserved by the prolonged and defined action of the out- 

 going tidal current, aided, to a certain extent, by the river floods. 



In consequence of the great increase in the size and numljer of the shipping 

 frequenting the port, particularly steam vessels, it has been found indispensable to 

 provide an entrance lock of greater size and depth of water over the cill, with an 

 additional extensive dock and spacious quays so as to furnish ample siding accom- 

 modation for the shipment of coal and increased facilities generally for the rapid 

 and economical loading and discharging of cargoes. In consequence, the Trustees 

 have entered into a contract for the construction of a dock in Fabian's Bay of 235- 

 acres area of water space, together with an entrance lock 450 feet in length, and 60 

 feet in width, with 32 feet of water over the outer cill at H.W.O.S.T. ; the dock 

 to be kept (as in the case of the South Dock) above the tide of the day by the surplus 

 water from Port Tennant Canal and other sources discharging into it. 



As regards the shipment of coal it is propo.«ed to be conducted on the same 

 .system as that at the Alexandra Dock at Newport, ^-iz. by gravitation from the 

 sidings to the hoists both for the loaded and empty waggons, the whole machinery 

 of the dock appliances to be worked by hydraulic power, it havmg been found 

 possible by this system at a very moderate cost to ship from 150 to 200 tons of coal 

 per hour at each hoist. 



In addition to proAnding this extensi^•e dock accommodation the embanking of 

 the indent termed ' Fabian's Baj^ ' within the Eastern Pier vnW, it is anticipated, as 

 in other well-known cases, tend to accelerate the tidal flow into the upper reaches 

 of the ri^er, and gi^•e a better direction and greater force to the ebbing tidal current 

 for the future maintenance of the entrance channel at present in progress of being 

 further deepened by dredging. 



These various works are now in course of construction, and in conclusion I have 

 to state that it will afibrd me pleasure to conduct you over them and to explain in 

 detail their features, and those of the works executed during past yeai-s. 



The following Papers were read : — 



1. On the Bute Docks, Cardiff. By J. McConnochie, M.Inst.C.E. 



The construction of the Bute Docks at Cardifi", and the consequent rapid 

 gi'owth of the town, are due to the remarkable foresight and public spirit of the late 



