Volume One - Into the Victorian Age - Activity at the docks . . .

There are fourteen coal-tips now constructed on the south side of the dock, and two in the basin. They are each capable of shipping 150 tons per hour. All of these tips are on the high level, worked by hydraulic and counterbalance machinery. The coal trucks are worked on and off the tips by gravitation. One of the tips in the dock and the tip in the basin are twin tips; that is to say, the loading of coal into the same vessel is intended to be effected by means of two tips simultaneously, and vessels loading at the twin tips can be loaded at the rate of 300 tons per hour. The dock being constructed on a curve enables the coal tips, built on jetties, to project one beyond another; thus the longest ships load without interference by reason of their overlapping each other.

On the north side of the dock there are ten hydraulic and steam cranes, for discharging iron ore, ballast, &c., five of which are portable, and a 10-ton lifting crane, with the necessary sidings for working them. Two of these cranes have been so placed that they will work into the same vessel at the same time. This double arrangement and the twin tips have been specially provided to give despatch to steamers. Very powerful hydraulic machinery has been provided, by which are worked the ballast and ore cranes, as well as the machinery for opening and closing the gates, the sluice machines, capstans, fender-chain machines, &c. There are about 28 miles of sidings connected with this dock, for storing wagons for the convenience of merchants.

Penarth Tidal Harbour. - Length measuring along the centre of the river, 13,000 ft.; frontage on Cardiff side, 12,000 ft.; on Penarth side, 12,700 ft.; total frontage, 24,700 ft. Average width at water line at high water for first reach of river, 600 ft.; length, 4,000 ft.; area, 55 acres. Average width at water line in same reach when depth of water is 15 ft., 280 ft.; area, 26 acres. Number of staithes for the shipment of coal, thirteen; room for six more; each staith capable of shipping 150 tons an hour. Depth of water in the berths at high water at ordinary spring tides, 30 ft.; and at ordinary neap tides, 20 feet. Vessels up to 800 tons burden take the ground, and are loaded with safety and despatch in this harbour. The maximum run of the tide is at the rate of about 2 knots an hour. Three cranes for unloading ballast and iron-ore, each capable of unloading 50 tons an hour. A large wharf is in course of erection, upon which will be placed three more portable hydraulic cranes for unloading iron-ore and ballast."