Penarth Dock, South Wales - the heritage & legacy . . .
Volume One - Into the Victorian Age - A concise history of Penarth Dock and the coal trade . . .
The sloop "Eirene" of the Missions to Seamen moored with others off Penarth Head in November 1843. She was the first ship for the Mission based at Penarth which was built at Pill on the river Avon commencing 1839, and she was launched in 1840, specifically for Rev. Dr. John Ashley's 'roadstead' ministry. She had chapel accommodation below deck for 60 - 70 men which often reached around 130 men!
It was common practice to anchor the 'Eirene' to the windward of the fleet of ships in case of a sudden change in weather so that crew members attending a service could return to their respective ships at short notice. A system of signal flags informed the fleet of service times and that a service was in progress. [007][025][513]
A mirror of the upper image being a lithograph held at the Bristol Museum. I believe that this is the correct orientation but whether she is coming or going is unclear! The text below the image states 'Lithograph showing the Bristol Channel mission cutter Eirene in Penarth Roads, 29.11.1843.' [379]
A hand-coloured print of the above lithograph kindly donated to the Penarth Dock Collection by a great friend of the website. The colouring brings the image to life just as that distinctive ozone grabs you. [001][20171007]
