Construction and opening of the Prince of Wales Dock

Royal Opening of the Prince of Wales Dock
On the morning of the 18^th October 1881, Edward Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandra proceeded in an open carriage from Singleton Abbey to the North Dock Basin, Swansea, passing through decorated streets thronged with cheering crowds. At Corporation Quay, the royal party boarded the luxury paddle steam yacht ‘Lynx’, which carried them out into the bay and around to the lock entrance of the new dock.

Upon arrival, the royal party descended into the lock to inspect the masonry and the lock gate machinery (see engraving), before ascending to the quayside to perform the opening ceremony. After officially naming it the ‘Prince of Wales Dock’, Prince Edward pulled a ceremonial gold and jewelled lever to open the main sluice, thereby allowing water to flood into the new dock.

Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandra travelling along a street to be renamed Alexandra Road in honour

of Princess Alexandra (The original name was Yeo Street after Frank Ash Yeo Mayor of Swansea in 1874 and

The above pass was found in a draw and sent in by Jennifer Sullivan Her husband Dai Sullivan 
worked on the Kings Dock as a Tally Man and his father Cyril Sullivan as a Docker. 
we thank her for the contribution. Cutting the first sod took place in about 1879.

Above is a close-up of the stone plaque which is inscribed with the names of Sir John Jones Jenkins MP, Chairman, A.O. Schenk Esq. M.I.C.E., Engineer, and Sir John Jackson, Contractor.