Publisher's Synopsis
An illustrated historical overview of coal exports from the Point of Ayr, North Wales, this illustrated booklet skims through the early maritime history of the northern end of the Dee estuary before focusing on the export of coal from a place called Picton Pool in Tudor times upto the experimental re-opening of the harbour at Point of Ayr in 1963.when the account is drawn to a close.
Picton Pool is thought to be in the vicinity of the Point of Ayr, and vessels are known to have been berthing at the Point at least since 1650, when a tavern existed on the site of Tanlan Farm. It was the main point for coal exports from the Picton pits, from whence a tramway conveyed the coal directly to the harbour.
The harbour was extensively developed early in the nineteenth century, when the Llanasa Embankment was built, but the main impetus for coal exports came in 1890. In that year the Point of Ayr Colliery, sunk at the water's edge in 1885, began production. Several ships berthed at the harbour each week, carrying their cargoes to Ireland and the Isle of Man .regularly until 1958 when the harbour was closed.
The current account ends in 1963, when an experimental re-opening of the harbour was attempted. Its aim is make available a readable account of a historic site whilch is now a feature on the Wales Coastal Path.
