HAMILTON at Fishguard / yn Abergwaun.

Mae’r erthygl yma yn sôn am ymweliad yr Arglwydd ac Arglwyddes Hamilton â’r ardal yn 1860. Cawsant ddylanwad mawr ar addysg gynnar yn Abergwaun wrth dalu am yr adeiladau ysgol yn Stryd Hamilton. Hefyd, gwellith nhw ar gyfleusterau  i forwyr lleol. Cyfranwyd yn sylweddol at adeiladu y ‘cei’ ar gyfer defnydd cychod a llongau yn y Cwm. Diddorol gweld yr erthygl yn cyfeirio at y gobaith o gael reilffordd yn dod trwy Gwm Gwaun !

This article is about Lord & Lady Hamilton’s visit to the area in 1860. They had a great influence on early education in Fishguard as they paid for the school buildings in Hamilton Street. They also improved facilities for local sailors. They contributed significantly to the construction of the ‘quay’ for the use of boats and ships in Lower Town. It is interesting to see the article referring to the hope of a railway being built through the Gwaun Valley !

FISHGUARD HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT.

Sir James and Lady Hamilton this week paid an unexpected, but not the less welcome, visit to their property and tenants in Fishguard and its neighbourhood. They first inspected the National Schools, which are so deeply indebted to their bounty; and noticing many repairs, which, though necessary, could not be provided for from the limited funds of the Institution, they ordered an estimate, and most kindly gave a cheque for the amount.

Their next visit was to the new pier in course of erection on their property, and on which the works are making rapid and satisfactory progress. Here they were met by William Stoney, Esq., the resident engineer, whose services are invaluable, and he fully explained the design, from its commencement, to its present state, and ultimate completion. The grand difficulty from the beginning, has been the obtaining of funds, partly from former disappointments, and partly from the apathy and poverty of the neighbourhood. Sir James and Lady Hamilton took 30 shares, and paid down £100, but on its being lately represented to them that shares hang on hand, and that money was much needed, Sir James at once offered to take one share for every ten which should be sold, and he now handed a cheque for £40 to J. M. Ware, Esq., hon. sec., being one on ten for 80 shares disposed of since he made the offer. Sixty six shares remain on hand, which it is believed will soon be appropriated, and the remainder of the hon. baronet’s promise claimed.

It is hoped that this Pier will be completed in October, and prove a shelter from the storms of the coming winter, for the smaller class of vessels which traverse St. George’s Channel. They are compelled to seek the refuge of Fishguard Bay, as the only place of safety between Holyhead and Milford Haven, but at the risk of a change of wind to N.E., when the road is no longer safe, on the completion of the Pier they can obtain entire security, and the boon to mariners will be very great.

Many master mariners of Fishguard and Dinas lay up for repairs or wintered at Milford, Llanelly, Cardiff, &c who will, in future, be enabled to bring their vessels nearly to their own houses for safety. Vessels will be able to come inside the Pier at high water, either in spring or neap tides, while the quay will afford every convenience for loading or unloading cargoes. But its utility may be greater as a refuge than for trade, and the harbour is so constituted, that a deep sea Pier can be easily constructed for the accommodation of vessels of a much larger tonnage, when safety for the smaller description of craft is undoubtedly ascertained. And then a breakwater from the Cow and Calf would ensure safety and good anchoring ground as a harbour of refuge to any amount of shipping.

When the railway from Dublin to Wexford is completed, Post Office Packets will most probably be put on from, thence to Fishguard, only 60 miles distance, and three hours’ sail; and the railway from Carmarthen to Cardigan can with ease be carried down through the Preselau range, and down the valley of the Gwaun to Fishguard, thereby affording the shortest postal distance between Ireland and the British metropolis. These advantages must have time to develop themselves, but to any thoughtful mind they have been obvious ever since the South Wales Railway has been opened to Milford Haven; vessels will not long continue to beat up the English, Irish, or Bristol Channels, and ultimately Pembrokeshire must become the gateway of the commerce of England with the Western World, when people will wonder why the superlative advantages of Fishguard Bay have been so long overlooked.

The inhabitants have made one step in the right direction; with how much exertion and difficulty is known only to those who have conducted the affair, but great will be their rejoicing when they witness the success which must ultimately crown their labours.