3-011-955 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Laying the foundation-stone of the Hubberston Dock at Milford Haven, 1864. 'The foundation-stone...was laid on Thursday, the 11th August, by Mrs. Potter, the wife of Mr. Richard Potter, chairman of the Great Western Railway Company. This event was looked upon as one of great importance to the interests of the county of Pembroke, which had a few days previously congratulated itself also upon the opening of the short line of railway from the town of Pembroke to Pembroke Docks, with the prospect of a speedy completion of the Pembroke and Tenby line. The place chosen for the site of the new dock is shown in our Illustration. It is a part of the shore adjoining the town of Milford...The shores and approaches were crowded by hundreds of persons congregating upon every available point from which a view of the proceedings could be obtained...The stocks were removed from beneath the stone, and a silver trowel, with a suitable inscription, was handed to Mrs. Potter, who took up some mortar from the mimic hod held by Mr. Milnes, the contractor, and placed it beneath the four comers of the block, which was then lowered amid cheers and declared to be duly laid. The band played the National Anthem'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.