Date | 14 February 2015 | ||
Location | Port Penrhyn, Bangor | SH 59229 72579; 53.23152°N, 4.11044°W | |
Information |
Slate from Penrhyn Quarry had been exported since the early 18th century from the sheltered bay at the mouth of the Afon Cegin where the river empties into the Menai Strait at Bangor Flats. The harbour’s name was changed from Abercegin to Port Penrhyn in 1790 when Richard Pennant‘s agent Benjamin Wyatt developed new facilities there with stone quays built from blocks of Anglesey limestone. More efficient transport of slate from quarry to port arrived in 1801 with the opening of a horse-drawn tramway. This was replaced around 1878 by the narrow-gauge Penrhyn Quarry Railway so that steam locomotives could be employed on the six-mile route from Bethesda. The Penrhyn Quarry Railway closed in 1962. From 1852 the port also had a standard-gauge siding connected to the then Chester and Holyhead Railway (later to become part of the LNWR). Penrhyn Bridge, which is now a Grade II listed structure, carries the approach road to the Penrhyn Estate’s Port Lodge over the Afon Cegin and was originally built in 1820 by George Hay Dawkins-Pennant. Two railway arches were a later addition in order to allow the tracks to terminate directly on the quays. The Grade II listed Port House was built in classical style in 1840 by Penrhyn Castle‘s clerk of works William Baxter as the harbour master’s house. The building has been used as an office by the University of Bangor and is currently occupied by Carter Vincent LLB solicitors. Further Reading
|

Port Penrhyn, 1961. The narrow-gauge Penrhyn Quarry Railway (PQR) opened in 1878 to allow the use of steam locomotives and was in operation until 1962. The previous horse-drawn tramway connecting Penrhyn Quarry and the port opened in 1801. The branch line of the then Chester and Holyhead Railway (CHR) serving the port opened in 1852.

Port House (R) was built in 1840 as the harbour master’s house. The Old Port Office (L) was built around the same time and the Dockmaster’s Office (middle) in about 1860. All three are Grade II listed buildings.

Railway arch of Penrhyn Bridge. The original bridge, carrying the roadway to the Port Lodge of Penrhyn Estate, was built in 1820 by George Hay Dawkins-Pennant. Two railway arches were added later. Sections of the trackbeds of the Penrhyn Quarry Railway and the standard-gauge Bethesda branch line now serve as the Lon Las Ogwen cycle path from Bethesda to Port Penrhyn.

Mussel dredgers B-932 Mare Gratia, BS-8 Valente and BS-12 Lottie Holly in the Grade II* listed New Dock
Your two header photos are pretty much spot-on, well done! I didn’t realise those Mussel dredgers had such a shallow draught. Great shots, as always.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Iain. Yes, it was interesting to see the dredgers with the tide out this time.
LikeLike
Ask Iain said, the two photographs you’ve merged are pretty much spot on – great work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Andy. It can be a little exasperating when vantage points are difficult to pinpoint or are no longer accessible, so it was nice to be able to do this one.
LikeLike
Excellent work. I didn’t immediately get that the two photos had been merged, either that’s my idiocy or good merging! Or both.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Alex 🙂
LikeLike
Pingback: Afon Cegin Weir, Port Penrhyn | GeoTopoi
wonderful photos from this port, Graham!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks indeed, Alexandra!
LikeLike
Wonderful work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Declan!
LikeLike
Pingback: Port Penrhyn | GeoTopoi
Amazing, like the Bay of Fundy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cindy, many thanks for all your visits and ‘Likes’ – very much appreciated. I had to google the Bay of Fundy – that looks like a splendid place to visit with those amazing rock formations. Hope you are enjoying your weekend. All the best!
LikeLike
Just reading a history of the N.Caernarvon NG Railways by J.I.C Boyd. Your images bring history to life
from Canada. Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very glad to hear it! Many thanks for stopping by and commenting, Chris.
LikeLike