Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge

    The Development of  Newport Docks  At the moment Newport Museum and Art Gallery has a photographic exhibition about the development of Newport Docks and it ends with photographs of the Newport Dock Disaster of 1909. The Newport Ship Newport's riverside wharves and jetties have existed at this major trading port since at least the fifteenth century, as evidenced by the discovery of The Newport Ship trading vessel dating from 1465-6. See David Jordan's painting below. Approaching Newport” by David Jordan  The Monmouthshire Canal The town's industrial significance was established in 1799 with the opening of the Monmouthshire Canal (nprn 85125). Subsequent development made Newport docks the the outlet for all iron and coal production of the Monmouthshire Valleys of Rhymney, Ebbw, Sirhowy and Afon Llwyd.  The Monmouthshire Canal Company with its canal and tramroads was responsible for the growth of Newport, which became the third largest coal port in Britain.  In 1796 the co

This blog exists for people to post memories, stories and pictures of Newport Transporter Bridge. Many people have an emotional attachment this iconic bridge. For some it is part of their childhood and some grew up with the structure towering above them.   A few years ago I met John Davies the historian and we started discussing why Cardiff had overtaken Newport commercially. We got onto the Transporter Bridge and he stated that he often visited it and brought his grandchildren who loved to ride on it.  Of course we all remember the scene in Tiger Bay where Hayley Mills got on the bridge in Newport and got off in the docks in Cardiff  and this is just one of the famous stories about the bridge. But you might have your own memories and have pictures and if so we would love to blog them.