Volume One - Into the Victorian Age - The Penarth Shipbuilding & Ship Repairing Company Limited . . .

The project is that of the Penarth Ship Building and Repairing Company, Limited, of which Mr. James Edwards was the original promoter, and the capital of which amounts to £30,000. The land which has been secured by the company embraces an area of seven and a half acres, which Mr. James Edwards succeeded in procuring by negotiations with the Taff Vale Railway Company.

The gridiron was opened on Thursday when the steamship “Alabama”, belonging to the firm of Messrs, William Gray, shipbuilders, of West Hartlepool, was successfully got to her place in charge of Captain Humphries. The slipway, which is in fair course of completion, will be 807 feet in length, and by means of hydraulic lifts is adapted to taking two ships at a time. . . .”

	The c.1900 OS map showing the location of the Penarth Slipway and Gridiron in the Ely tidal harbour. Also a side by side map showing the old and new.

The Cardiff Times [019] recorded the first half-yearly meeting results on the 28th February 1880, over which, the chairman, Mr. John Fry, presided:-

"The shareholders proceeded to inspect the works, which have now been upwards of six months in operation, and expressed themselves highly satisfied with the general arrangements."

In the meeting that followed "the chairman referred to the progress of the undertaking and commented upon the favourable reception which the company had met with in shipping circles." They awarded a 4% dividend "and this was regarded as a very satisfactory commencement, as the gridiron only had virtually been worked. . . .