With its legacy of trade and imports Barry Dock has played a vital role in the town’s history and created many sea-based jobs for people in the area.

The docks were first opened back in 1889 by Welsh industrialists David Davies and John Cory to provide relief for the over congested Cardiff Docks.

The main purpose of the dock during this time was to ship coal carried by rail from the South Wales Coalfield.

Coal Tipping at Barry Docks during the industrial era Coal Tipping at Barry Docks during the industrial era (Image: The Port of Barry) Eventually by 1913, Barry Docks surpassed Cardiff in trade and was recognised as the busiest coal port in the world exporting on average 11.05 million long tons at its peak.

Cargo being unloaded at Barry Docks Cargo being unloaded at Barry Docks (Image: The Port of Barry) The docks were the embodiment of the industrial revolution and were designed by none other than Henry Marc Brunel. (The son of the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel).

However, after the Welsh coal trade collapsed Barry Docks struggled to find a purpose.

Ship at Berth at Barry Docks Ship at Berth at Barry Docks (Image: The Port of Barry) From 1959 onwards The Geest Company imported bananas from the West Indies which provided some job security, but the port declined in the 1980s after the company left.

The following are some pictures of the docks throughout the industrial period and the 50s.