FROM the Archive this week features a photograph relating to rats on ships in Barry Dock.
At the time this photograph was taken the Port Medical Officer for Health, in Barry, was Percy W. Kent.
Included in his responsibility was the task to clear rats and other vermin from vessels in the Dock.
The official rat catcher in 1925 was Mr J. Davies.
A total of 59 ships were found to be infested with rats during 1925 and 3,538 rats were destroyed by various methods including poison, traps and ferrets and eight ships were fumigated with sulphur.
The ship which landed with the largest number of rats was the SS Fortina a British ship travelling from Buenos Aires which arrived on January 13, 1925.
The number of rats caught on board was 225.
The Barry & District News would like to thank Cllr Shirley Hodges for the photograph and information.
If you have an old Barry photograph you would like to see included, with information about what it depicts, email sha@barryanddistrictnews.co.uk
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