Cymraeg

David Davies, Wales’s First Tycoon

Born in the 19th Century, Welsh Industrialist and Liberal Politician David Davies is still recognised today as an integral part of Barry’s growth and development.

You may have seen his statue standing proudly outside the Dock Office, holding the docks commission which began Barry’s industrialisation. Or you may have heard his name brought up in conversation regarding the railway connection we all travel on. We have a lot to thank him for.

The growth of the coal industry and collieries during the 1880’s was huge and David Davies found himself on the front line in his role as politician and industrialist. Bute Docks, Cardiff was running at full capacity, the railway struggled to cope with the traffic of the industry, but in this Davies saw an opportunity. He proposed a plan to build new docks and connect Barry through rail, constructing a new connection from the Rhondda. It took time for the plans to be approved, nearly two years between November 1882 and August 1884. It was a long and expensive parliamentary process costing £70,000 (over £9 million in today’s money!) But by 1889 Dock no.1 was completed.

David Davies died in 1890, a year after his biggest achievement which allowed the coal industry to further expand. Ocean Coal Company Ltd. at this time was the largest and most profitable coal company distributing globally.

Barry Docks was described by Kenneth Morgan, Welsh historian and Broadcaster, as “the crowning triumph” in Davies’ career dedicated to his home nation.

The film above is available with subtitles and BSL here or with BSL only here.

You can read more about David Davies’s life and work by following this link.

  • Construction of Barry No. 1 Dock. View of a pier used for tipping stone.
  • Construction of what is believed to be a breakwater.
  • Coal hoists on the north side of No. 1 Dock.
  • A coffer dam being used during the fitting of the dock gates.
  • Construction of the main dock gates at Barry No. 1 Dock.
  • The fitting of a pair of dock gates.
  • Letting water into the dock.
  • A nearly completed coal hoist. The full "Barry Co." coal wagon is probably there for advanced publicity purposes.

Information

Following in his footsteps

David Davies was survived by his son Edward Davies who continued to work with the Ocean Coal Company, and his grandson David Davies (pictured), who became Baron Davies of Llandinam.

David Davies was a significant philanthropist, donating many millions in today’s money to local and national causes such as the King Edward VII Welsh National Memorial, the Welsh Temple of Peace in Cardiff, the Memorial Hall (now Memo Arts Centre) in Barry, and Dinam Hall in Barry, to name just a few.

Neither lived to reach old age; Edward died aged 45 soon after a mental breakdown, and David died from lung cancer aged 64.