Newspaper extracts for Milford Haven

There are many references to this area in the 15 million Welsh and English language articles from Welsh newspapers transcribed by the NLW and viewable on Welsh Newspapers Online
Below are English language articles that have been re-transcribed and extracted randomly to illustrate what is available, there are many that are not extracted here that include names of local people

• From the Evening Express (Pink Edition) 3rd February 1900

MILFORD HAVEN. The contingent of Milford Haven Volunteers, four in number, who have been accepted for active service in South Africa, Left by the 4.40 train on Friday afternoon for Cardiff. Previous to proceeding to the railway station the men assembled at the Drill-hall, where brief words of encouragement were addressed to them by Colonel Roberts, Captain W. S. Griffith, and Lieutenant-colonel G. Griffiths, J.P. (chairman of the urban district council). They were escorted to the station by the Volunteer band, which played "The Men of Harlech" and Auld Lang Syne."

•  From the Evening Express (Special Edition) 27th July 1895

Lost off Milford Haven TOTAL WRECK OF A CARDIFF STEAMER. Angelica Struck the Rocks in the Early Hours and Sunk in a Few Minutes. A Central News telegram says that the steamer Angelica, belonging to Cardiff, and bound from Bordeaux to Barry with pitwood. struck on the rocks off Milford early on Friday morning, and sank within a few minutes. There were eighteen persons on board, including the captain's wife and nephew, and, with the exception of a fireman, believed to be named Davey, all managed to reach the island in safety. A heavy fog prevailed at the time, and the morning was very dark. The survivors were rescued from the island on Friday afternoon by the steamer M. J. Hedley, and conveyed to Bristol.........(part extract)........

• From the  Evening Express (Fifth Edition)   9th January 1896

MILFORD HAVEN FORTS. On Wednesday morning the new commander of the Western District, Lieutenant-general Sir Forestier Walker. K.C.B., C.M.G., lately commandiug the Army of Occupation in Egypt, arrived at Pembroke Dock by tram, and proceeded down the haven and inspected the forts and the fortifications generally, expressing himself, we understand, as well pleased with all he saw.

• From the Evening Express (Third Edition) 1st December 1892

THE MILFORD HAVEN DEPUTATION. Mr. W. Rees Davies, M.P., writes from London asking us to say that he accompanied the deputation to Sir Charles Tupper, the High Commissioner of Canada, in favour of making Milford Haven the terminal port in the proposed new mail routs between Canada and Great Britain

• From the  Evening Express (Sixth Edition) 30th June 1893

FUTURE OF MILFORD HAVEN. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ENGLAND AND NEW YORK. A TOUR OF INSPECTION. PROBABLE TRIAL TRIPS. By the invitation of General Laurie, Mr. L. Bellona, a gentleman very largely interested in the Atlantic shipping trade, has this week visited Milford Haven and the docks for the purpose of judging for himself the capabilities of the port, in view of the running of a fresh line of freight steamers between England and New York. He was accompanied by the general, Captain Lecky (marine superintendent), Mr. Leeming (divisional passenger superintendent), Mr. Sims (district goods manager), and Mr. J. C. Ward (Milford Docks engineer). The directors of the Great Western Railway and Milford Docks Companies have offered every facility, and the negotiations which have taken place between the parties concerned will, it is believed, result in one or two trial trips being made at an early date.

•  From the Evening Express 1st June 1891

Phenomenon at Milford Haven. On Friday evening, about ten o'clock, was seen at Milford Haven a meteor of remarkable splendour, which swept across the heavens in the direction of Fort Popton, lighting up the camp of the Carmarthenshire Militia. Before its final disappearance it seemed to change colour, from a rich red to a bright green. During its transient passage it poured forth a light of intense brilliancy.

•  From the Evening Express (Third Edition) 1st May 1891

Launch at Milford Haven. There has just been successfully launched from the shipbuilding, engineering, and repairing works of Messrs. T. R Oswald and Co. (Limited) a large steel sailing ship of the following dimensions:— Length, 312ft.; breadth, 42ft. 3in"; depth, 25ft. 6in.; register tonnage, about. 2.800; carrying a dead-weight cargo of 4,400 tons. She has been built to Lloyd's highest class, under special survey. The vessel is full rigged, the three lower masts, bowsprit, and nine yards being of steel. She has been built for Messrs. R. W. Leyland and Co., of Liverpool, and is the eleventh vessel Messrs. Oswald have built for Messrs Leyland. On leaving the ways the ship was gracefully christened the Ditton by Miss Mathieson. After  the launch the vessel was taken into the Pill, a natural wet dock adjoining the builders' works, and placed under the company's shears alongside the quay for masting.

• From the Evening Express (Pink Edition) 1st February 1898

FIRE AT MILFORD HAVEN, DRAPERY WAREHOUSE BURNED DOWN. Milford Haven was shortly after eight o'clock on Monday night the scene of a terrible conflagration. It appears that about the time stated an alarm was raised that the premises of Mrs. Perkins, milliner and draper, Charles- street, were on fire, and in an incredibly short apace of time the whole building was a mass of flames, there being no appliances whatever in the town for coping with an outbreak of fire. Messengers were immediately despatched to Hubberston and South Hook Fort to seek the aid of the military stationed there. The latter at once responded to the call, and brought over their hose and reels. Had it not been for their promptitude, aided by hundreds of the inhabitants, the whole street, where the principal business premises in the town are situated, must have been burnt down. Assistance was also telegraphed for from Haverfordwest, and the brigade at once responded to the call. Fortunately, however, most of the danger was at an end by the time of their arrival. The four children of Mrs. Perkins, who were in bed when the fire was discovered, were rescued with considerable difficulty. The adjoining premises of Mrs. John, tobacconist; Mr. Bevans, stationer and Mrs. Mules, grocer, were also very considerably damaged by fire and water.

• From the Evening Express (First Edition) 8th July 1896

MILFORD HAVEN REGATTA. The ninety-second anniversary of the Milford Haven Regatta came off on Monday. The weather turned out beautifully fine but the entries for the different events were comparatively small. The attendance of spectators also showed a marked falling off compared with former years. The band of the A Company 1st V.B. Welsh Regiment played a selection of music during the afternoon and evening in Hamilton-terrace, while the band of the headquarter companies discoursed at programme on Hakin Point. The day's proceedings were concluded by a display of fireworks. The duties of hon- secretary were discharged by Mr. Harold J. Evans, solicitor.

• From the Evening Express (Extra Special) 19th August 1898

MILFORD HAVEN FISHING FLEET.  The Milford Haven fishing fleet is again to be augmented. Six steam-trawlers are being built at Aberdeen for Mr. F. J. Sellick, of Milford Haven. This important addition will, it is said, bring the fleet under his management up to thirty vessels.

• From the  Evening Express (Special Edition) 2nd December 1893

New Milford Haven Railway. The preliminary arrangements in connection with the proposed construction of a new railway from a point near Carmarthen to Milford Haven are proceeding apace. On Friday night public meetings to further the undertaking were held at the Fox and Hounds Inn, Bankyfelin, and the Town-hall, St. Clears, when resolutions heartily approving and supporting the proposed railway were carried.

• From The Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser 12th May 1882

MILFORD HAVEN, WRECKAGE.—The Siren (Trinity steamer) towed into Milford on Sunday the hull of a vessel apparently of about 1,000 tons, which she picked up five miles north of the Smalls the wreck seems to have been in the water some time there is no name on it

•  From The Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser 23rd May 1884

 MILFORD HAVEN. On Wednesday evening last, the Milford Haven Choral Union gave their last concert of the season in the Masonic-hall. The attendance was fairly good, and a well-selected programme was gone through in excellent style, many of the pieces being deservedly encored. Among those who took part were Mr Wm. Pearce (Treherbert) and his youthful son and daughter, the former of whom delighted the audience with his harp solos and the latter with her sweet singing. Miss Annie Harding, of the Beethoven-rooms, London, who has an excellent and well-trained voice, sang "Bring him back again." The Kerry Dance," and "Forget and forgive," each song receiving a well-merited encore. The duet "Maying" (Mrs J. Houston and Mr R. Wraith), solo,- "Loved and saved" (Mrs J. Houston), and the quartette, "Strike the lyre'' (Miss E. Walkley, Miss A. Wraith, Mr P. Lewis and Mr W. Cole) were given in excellent style. The choir sang several glees, &c„ in such a manner as to reflect great credit on the leader, Mr Peter Lewis, who for the last two seasons has trained and led them. The proceeds of the concert will be presented to this gentleman, as a small recognition of the valuable services rendered by him to the Choral Union. Mr F. D. Williams was the accompanist on the occasion, and discharged his duty admirably.

• From  The Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser 13th October 1865

MILFORD HAVEN. An inspection of the map of England shows at one of the western extremities of the kingdom a large harbour or inland sea, through the entrance to which ships can at once pass into the broad Atlantic, without incurring any of the risks of channel navigation. This harbour, Milford Haven, is also one of the nearest points of departure for America. It is so deep that the Great Eastern has steamed up it for miles at low water, and afterwards had sufficient room to swing at her anchers in all states of the tide ; the waters also of the harbour are broad enough to accommodate the whole English navy in absolute security. The bottom is principally mud, and numerous indentations on both sides of the harbour offer facilities for the formation of docks, piers, wharfs and all the miscellaneous necessaries of a large port. The entrance to Milford Haven is defended with strong fortifications, and is so formed by nature that ships can come in in almost all weathers, irrespective of the direction of the wind or state of the tide.

Yet this maritime nation has yet found no use for this noble harbour, beyond the establishment of a Government dockyard on its shores, while vessels from America and other countries sail past its entrance, thereby inflicting on owners losses in money and time, besides sometimes adding to the number of ominous black spots on the wreck charts. For a long time Milford Haven has suffered from the want of adequate railway accommodation, but the projectors of new lines, seeing what position the harbour must attain at a future time, have within the last three years been pushing on their railways to its borders. At one time the Great Western Railway only reached it, and that by a circuitous route. Recently the Hon. Col. Greville made a branch from that railway, at his own expense through his own land, to the town of Milford. now a desolate place, with little business, but plenty of empty houses. The narrow gauge also now reaches the harbour on the opposite side via the pretty little town of Tenby but a few months must yet elapse before this railway is connected with the rest of the narrow gauge system, there being a short break, which is now being filled up, between Tenby, Whitland, and Carmarthen. In about a year trains will be able to run on the narrow gauge all the way from Euston Square to Milford Haven, via Brecon and Carmarthen. A large trunk railway is in course of construction direct from Manchester to Milford Haven, making a junction with the Mid-Wales line, not far from the foot of Plinlimmon. The distance from London to Milford is also to be shortened by the new railway across the Severn. Here, then, we have the anomalies of the finest harbour in the island being neglected by the maritime nation to which it belongs, and a number of railways all bearing down upon one port, where as yet they can obtain little or no business. The great drawback to the port is the want of good dock and warehouse accommodation.

Milford Haven has an advantage of from one to two hundred miles saving in distance alone over the present leading English shipping ports for America. It is, besides, the natural point of departure for New Zealand and Sydney, via Panama, besides offering facilities for trade with the Mediterranean. The new railways will bring it within a hundred and ninety-five miles distance from Manchester, and all the lines place it in direct communication with the rich coal and iron districts of central Wales. A memorial presented to the Lords of the Admiralty by many of the members of Parliament, landowners, and bankers of South Walls, represented that the best Aberdare hand- picked steam coal was delivered at Milford Haven at 10s 6d per ton, being on an average 8s per ton less than at all other naval ports in the kingdom, so that a large saving might be gained by coaling ships of war at Milford Haven. With respect to the construction of docks fit for the reception of the largest ships of war, the memorialists pointed out there was a greater rise of tide in this harbour than at any other of the Government naval ports. so that the Great Eastern had been twice placed on a gridiron in the Haven and received the necessary repairs, at a cost of less than £2,000. It was also remarked that much of the land on the borders of Milford Haven already belonged to the Crown and the Admiralty, so, as labour also was cheap in the neighbourhood, there would be little expense in the construction of docks, already partially formed by nature. The First Lord of the Admiralty, the Duke of Somerset, in his reply said that want of dock accommodation was the principal drawback to Milford Haven.

The harbour not only has direct communication with the bituminous and coal districts of Wales, but is itself situated in the heart of the Pembroke- shire anthracite coal bed. This coal having been used with success in Her Majesty's yacht some years since, the owners of the Great Britain made a trial of Welsh anthracite coal from the pit of Messrs Myers and Kirkwood. With the ordinary coal her usual consumption on Australian voyages averaged from various circumstances from 50 cwt., 55 cwt., and sometimes even 60 cwt. per hour. with all boilers at work, and under the same circumstances she on the experimental voyage, consumed only from 28 cwt. to 33 cwt. of Welsh anthracite, her furnaces having been somewhat shortened. When only half the furnaces were at work, and consuming from 15 cwt. to 16 cwt. of anthracite per hour, her speed was 7½ knots, but with all her boilers going 9 knots only could be obtained. Our contemporary, the Mining Journal, commenting on these facts at the time, said :—  (the quote not extracted).....

Up to the present time the Government has done more to bring business to Milford Haven than any private enterprise. The dockyard on its shores gives employment to a large number of shipwrights and artisans, from whom the town of Pembroke Dock receives its principal support. A line of steam packets to Ireland has been established by Messrs Ford and Jackson, for the conveyance of passengers, provisions, and live stock between Wales and Cork. Waterford, and the South of Ireland. The depth of water at the railway terminus, whence the steamers start, is twenty feet at dead low water spring tides, but near the pontoon it is considerably deeper, although near the head of the harbour.

Many times and oft has it been suggested that this, the finest; harbour in the country, shall be utilised; the metropolitan journals have from time to time mooted the subject, only to be again forgotten, but at the present time Milford Haven particularly demands attention from the multitude of railways connecting its shores with the busiest centres ot industry in the kingdom.    ....... (part extract of a very long article) .........

•  From The Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser 2nd August 1889

MILFORD HAVEN. OPENING OF A BRANCH BANK.—We are informed that the National Provincial Bank of England has opened a branch at Milford. An increase in banking facilities, is an indication of the growing prosperity of the port. The branch will be open on Tuesdays and Friday., and will be under the management of Mr Lewis Roberts, manager of the Haverfordwest Branch.

• From The Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser 2nd September 1859

 MILFORD HAVEN. In our remarks last week upon the possible destination of the Great Eastern, we referred to Milford Haven as the best adapted, both by position and natural resources, as a port of departure for that vessel; and the Supplement to our present impression contains a map of the haven, reduced from the Admiralty Chart, which will enable our leaders to estimate for themselves the singular capabilities of the place. Mr Alfred Brett, of Leaden- hall-street, in a pamphlet recently published, sets forth the natural advantages of Milford as a mail packet station for ocean services. His primary object is to show the peculiar adaptability of Milford as a station for a Panama line of steamers. But his remarks are not limited to that particular route. They are equally applicable to communications with the Peninsular ports, the West Indies, and the Brazils; with any port in the American Continent; and with Africa; whilst the lines between Havre, Bremen, Hamburg, or Antwerp, and New York, would benefit materially by adopting Milford as an intermediate port. ......(part extract)......

•  From The Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser 30th July 1852

MILFORD HAVEN. In the Illustrated London News of Saturday last there is an article, prettily illustrated, on the Opening of Chepstow Bridge on the SOUTH WALES RAILWAY. It commences

"The South Wales Railway bids fair to become one of the great arteries of communication between our Metropolis and several of the most important Countries of the Globe. Its terminus, at the best and safest Harbour in the Kingdom, MILFORD HAVEN, has already led to the formation of a company for constructing a class of Steam Vessels of a size hitherto dreamed impossible. The EASTERN NAVIGATION COMPANY, guided by their scientific Engineer, Mr BRUNEL, we understand, contemplate Vessels of five hundred feet in length, and of proportionate power, which will perform the Voyage via the CAPE, to INDIA, in less time than is at present occupied by the Overland Mail. Other Companies contemplate making their Port at MILFORD, which is the most Westerly Harbour in the Kingdom." 

We are not surprised at this, having, from the first time the Sout,h Wales Railway was spoken of, believed and stated that Milford Haven must eventually become one of the greatest, if not the greatest, places of Commercial interest in the Kingdom. Rome was not built in a day, neither can Milford Haven at once leap into rivalry with places where an immense amount of capital has already been expended ......(part extract).....

• From The Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser 26th November 1886

MILFORD HAVEN. MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.—A soiree to inaugurate the opening of a Recreation Room in connection with this institution will be held at the Masonic Hall on Monday next, at 7 p.m. The programme will include short speeches, recitations, and music. Refreshments in the shape of tea and coffee, &c. will be provided. We understand that the Recreation Room will be open daily after 6 p.m., and arrangements will be made occasionally for conducting literary classes, &c., during the winter

•  From The Pembroke County Guardian and Cardigan Reporter 19th June 1908

MILFORD HAVEN. The new post-office will be opened on Sunday, June 28th.

The mackerel season came to an end for the season last Monday, and the spacious market built for the accommodation of the trade will, therefore, be closed until the end of the year, unless a herring trade should be built up.

The new telegraph-office at the Docks was opened for telegraph business on Monday. The daily average of telegrams is over 2,000, which is more than the whole of the business done at the Swansea telegraph offices.

•  From The Pembroke County Guardian and Cardigan Reporter 12th October 1906

MILFORD HAVEN. HOCKEY CLUB. A meeting was held at the Lord Nelson Hotel on Friday night, with the object of re forming the Milford Hockey Club. Dr. W. S. Griffiths the old Welsh international centre, occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance. It was unanimously decided to run a club this season, and the following officials were appointed:—Captain, Mr. E. J. Smith; treasurer, Mr. T. W. Price; hon. secretary, Mr. Mansel E. Morgan, London and Provincial Bank. A capital ground is avail- able.