WALES:  CARDIFF  AND  NEWPORT.

121

WALES.
CARDIFF  AND  NEWPORT.

(From  United  States  Consul  Phillips,  Cardiff,  M  ales.)
DOCKS.

The  Cardiff  docks  are  four  in  number.  They  cover  altogether  an
area  of  111  acres,  and  are  accessible  to  vessels  of  12,000  tons.  The
following  is  the  area  and  depth  of  water  in  each  dock:

Area  and  depth  of  water  of  Cardiff  docks.

Dock.

West  dock...
East  dock...
Eoath  basin
Roath  dock.

Area  in
acres.

33

Depth  of  water
on  sill.

Spring  Neap
tides.  tides.

Ft.  in.
38  9
31  9
35  9
35  9

Ft.  in.
18  9
31  9
35  9
25  9

A  new  dock  is  in  course  of  construction,  with  a  water  area  of  50
acres.  It  will  have  40  feet  of  water  on  sill  at  ordinary  spring  tides
and  32  feet  at  ordinary  neap  tides.
There  are  twelve  graving  docks  in  Cardiff,  one  having  a  length  of
*00  feet,  and  several  capable  of  accommodating  vessels  of  over  500
feet.
The  London  and  Northwestern,  Great  Western,  Midland,  Taff
Vale,  Rhymney,  Brecon  and  Merthyr,  and  Pontypridd,  Caerphilly
and  Newport  Railway  companies  have  direct  communication  with
all  the  four  docks,  thus  making  Cardiff  the  center  of  Wales  for  shipping ­
  and  a  convenient  port  for  the  Midland  district  of  England.
TIMBER  PONDS.
The  Cardiff  timber  floats  have  an  area  of  28  acres,  and  a  large
provision  is  made  for  the  floating  of  timber  at  a  reasonable  rental.
These  ponds  are  capable  of  storing  nearly  30,000  loads;  they  have
51  waterway  to  all  the  timber  yards,  the  Glamorganshire  Canal,  and
the  railroads.  Railways  are  placed  alongside  the  ponds,  having  a
competitive  communication  with  all  parts  of  the  United  Kingdom.
WAREHOUSE  AND  TRANSIT  ACCOMMODATION.
Extensive  bonded  warehouses  are  provided  for  every  kind  of  merchandise, ­
  including  tea,  tobacco,  cigars,  etc.,  with  vaults  for  wines
a nd  spirits.  The  cellarage  for  provisions  and  perishable  goods  is
extensive,  cool,  and  specially  constructed  for  the  purpose.  There
re  also  sheds  approved  by  His  Majesty’s  customs  for  cargoes  in
transit.  All  warehouses  are  close  to  the  dock  quays,  with  railways
alongside  and  around  the  entire  system  of  the  docks.  Goods  can  be