pp. viii, 100, 12 [Appendix : Rules and regulations of the Bute Docks at Cardiff] + Two engraved maps. Yellow endpapers. Thin 8vo. 230 mm. Original full cloth binding, decorated in blind. Cloth taped spine. Manuscript presentation from the Marquess of Bute to Robert Stephenson. Bute Docks: Following the development of the coal found in South Wales, the export of both coal and iron products required a sea connection to the Bristol Channel. In 1794, the Glamorganshire Canal was completed, linking the then small town of Cardiff with Merthyr, and in 1798 a basin was built, connecting the canal to the sea. By the 1830s, Cardiff became the pre-eminent iron-exporting port, shipping almost half of British overseas iron exports; between 1840 and 1870. Lack of proper dock facilities led Cardiff's foremost landowner, John Crichton-Stuart, 2nd Marquess of Bute (1793-1848), to promote the construction of the (West) Bute Dock. Designed by Admiral William Henry Smyth (1788-1865), hydrographer, astronomer, antiquary, and author of this work. It opened in October 1839. Just two years later, the Taff Vale Railway was opened, following much the same route as the canal. Bute created modern Cardiff, Wales and the docks there. Robert Stephenson (1803-1859) was an English civil engineer. He was the only son of George Stephenson, the famed locomotive builder and railway engineer (many of the achievements popularly credited to his father were actually the joint efforts of father and son). Robert also gained fame as a bridge builder. The book also has an early pencil ownership for: W.J. Lewis, The Mardy, Aberdare. **PRICE JUST REDUCED! W151 Far Rt
