Iron production around Merthyr Tydfil grew following the partnership between Richard Crawshay and Henry Cort, who had patented a process for making better quality iron. The extra demand for the “new improved” wrought iron added to the problems of getting it to customers by way of Cardiff, the nearest port. The overland journey was slow and unsatisfactory.
But, we were in the age of canals and so the Glamorganshire Canal was built as a solution. This brought the first load of iron to Cardiff in February 1794.
Later, the quality of South Wales coal was shown to be so good that the trade down the Canal grew to such an extent that the canal dock became congested.
The canal company wanted to build a bigger dock, but the land needed was owned by the 2nd Marquess of Bute. He eventually saw the business opportunities for himself and invested in building what was to become Bute West Dock next to the canal.
