Cardiff POOL

[Byron Jones]

Seaman's Registry (RSS) was moved from London to Cardiff in 1941. I believe it was initially set up in the Chamber of Commerce (Exchange Building - now the Exchange Hotel) but there may have been other offices within the City. Is there anyone out there old enough to have been a member of the POOL or does anyone have any information on the establishment/history of the "POOL" in Cardiff please.

[Dennis McGuckin]

Have a friend who lives in Cardiff. He is an ex MN, and also worked at the pool.
If you think he could help, I will send you his address via PM.
Den.

[Keith at Tregenna]

The Coal Exchange, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff

This building was erected in 1884-1886 by the Cardiff Exchange and Office Co Ltd. Previously the site was the garden at the centre of Mount Stuart Square. The company was founded by Frederick de Courcy Hamilton, a local solicitor who played a formative role in Cardiff’s development. Another of his companies built Duke Street Arcade and High Street Arcade.

The Exchange provided a suitably grand setting for negotiating sales and shipping deals for coal from the prodigious collieries of South Wales. One of the companies which traded here in the early 20th century was shipbroker Aadnesen & Dahl, co-owned by Norwegian immigrant Harald Dahl. His son Roald, christened in Cardiff’s Norwegian Church, became one of the most successful children’s authors in history.

On one ordinary day, 15 August 1908, Aadnesen & Dahl dispatched 1,300 tons of coal from Cardiff to Ghent, Belgium. Other shipments brokered at the Exchange that day included: 5,500 tons of coal from Ferndale, Rhondda, to Genoa, Italy: 4,500 tons to Port Said, Egypt; and 2,500 tons to Portsmouth for the Royal Navy.

From 1941 to 1946 the Exchange was home to the Merchant Navy Reserve Pool. To ensure that seamen would always be available to crew vessels, the Government paid them to remain in the Reserve Pool when they were ashore.

The exchange closed in 1958, following a long decline in coal exports through Cardiff. The building was subsequently used for concerts, meetings, awards ceremonies and other activities. Artists who performed here included Van Morrison, the Manic Street Preachers, Bob Geldof, John Cale and Jools Holland. The building’s film and TV credits include episodes of Dr Who, Torchwood and Casualty.

The exchange closed in 1958, following a long decline in coal exports through Cardiff. The building was subsequently used for concerts, meetings and other activities. Before the people of Wales voted against devolution in 1979, the Coal Exchange was suggested as a home for the proposed Welsh Assembly.

The building is now home to The Exchange Hotel.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Have a friend who lives in Cardiff. He is an ex MN, and also worked at the pool.
If you think he could help, I will send you his address via PM.
Den.

Pos worth a chat with MR Staples.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency
MCA Cardiff
Anchor Court
Keen Road
Cardiff
CF24 5JW
Phone:029 2044 8800

I will add anymore that I find.

Regards,

Keith.


Possibly of interest:
The new offices of the Board of Trade, Mercantile Marine at Bute Docks, Cardiff as designed by Mr E. G. Rivers (architect) in c.1880

LINK: Penarth Dock, South Wales - the heritage and legacy

.

[Bill Morrison]

Post#3 Keith I watched this programme a few weeks ago. Britains Most Historic Towns. Presented by Professor Alice Roberts Series(2) Episode 3 Edwardian Cardiff. a must for you!
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/...guide/series-2

Bill
It won't down load Try finding it yourself

[Keith at Tregenna]

Alice tells the story of Edwardian Britain by visiting Cardiff. She explores the coal trade and Cardiff's pioneering multicultural heritage, and experiences the life of a lady of leisure.

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/...mand/68435-003

[Keith at Tregenna]

Adding the below as it is important to the thread Cardiff pool, his name Bill Henke may stir a few memories.

The Cardiff MN memorial would not have happened without the efforts of the late Mr. Bill Henke MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire). Mr. Henke was the founder of the Merchant Navy Association (Wales). He spent years raising funds for the construction of the memorial. A plaque recognizing his efforts is located just outside the circular mosaic base of the memorial – and the sculpture itself is located just outside the Welsh Senedd (parliament) building, which was built after the sculpture was erected.

For all those that remember Bill Henke:

A POOL OFFICER REMEMBERED:


(With great respect to Mr. W. R. Henke, MBE)

Yes... We remember Bill Hencke. when missing a crew,
He'd dive around the pubs, to shanghai a few,
The Castle, the Packet, and Ma Bryant's bar,
The Frampton, the White Hart, were not very far.
The Pier and the Windsor, not forgetting The Mount.
Too many pubs for Bill Henke to count.
The Avondale, the Hope, and the Snake Pits.
And the one on the corner, nicknamed The Six Bits.
The Empress, the Sealock, the Old Ship Hotel,
The George and the Pilot, the Bute Dock as well.
We'd dodge in the Torbay, but he's on our tail,
The ships in the docks, and she's ready to sail.
The ships are not there now, Bill has retired.
They have sold all the ships, and we have been fired.
Now he is older, and mellowed, we hear,
But we still have a lookout, when drinking our beer.

K.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Byron.
I joined my first ship after leaving the Vindicatrix in Cardiff in 1949, Bill Hencke was the man who got me signed on the Trevose, did two years on her, but never went back to the Cardiff pool sailed out of Swansea and various ports after that.
Des

[Keith at Tregenna]

Can you remember where you signed on Des ?

One mention found is of: Shipping Federation on Roath Basin dock.

Timeshift: Sailors, Ships and Stevedores

k.

[Byron Jones]

Have a friend who lives in Cardiff. He is an ex MN, and also worked at the pool.
If you think he could help, I will send you his address via PM.
Den.

Thanks Den. I've sent you a private message (I think). If nothing happens I would appreciate a private message from you. Byron