Port Sanitary Authorities were first established under the Public Health Act of 1872, and gained further statutory powers under subsequent Acts of Parliament such as the Infectious Disease (Notification) Act 1889 the Public Health Act 1896. The principal role of a Port Sanitary Authority was to prevent diseases such as cholera, plague or yellow fever being spread to the local populace through contact with crew members from foreign-going ships by way of inspection and, if necessary, enforced quarantine or hospitalisation
 

Renamed ‘Port Health Authorities’ under the Public Health Act 1936, they remain responsible for a number of different functions designed to protect environmental, public, and animal health in the UK by preventing the spread of infectious diseases, enforcing controls on imported foodstuffs, and ensuring compliance with European Union rules and international trading standards. The offices of the Swansea Port Health Authority were located at No. 10 Somerset Place until the early 1970’s, when demolition of the area for redevelopment necessitated a move to the present office building alongside the Kings Dock Lock. Now known as the Swansea Bay Port Health Authority, it is currently responsible for the entire maritime area between Mumbles Head and Porthcawl, including the ports of Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot.
 

Interestingly, our friend and contributor Ron Tovey – who is researching mid-nineteenth century Swansea for a forthcoming book – tells us that the only outbreak of yellow fever to occur in the UK was, in fact, at Swansea in 1865. The disease was borne aboard the ‘Hecla’ which was carrying copper ore from Santiago de Cuba to Swansea, and is reported to have infected 22 people – 15 of whom died. Two of the deaths occurred in Llanelli as a result of a sloop being tied up alongside the ‘Hecla’ before sailing to Penclawdd. The official dates of the epidemic were from 15^th September to 13^th October 1865.