Volume One - Into the Victorian Age - Some newspaper reports from the 1880's

The hose from the dock was brought into use, and played for some time, and then Captain Pengelley came and ordered the vessel to be taken to the basin. Here the Penarth Fire Brigade, under Inspector King, commenced to play, and continued till about three o'clock. The hose from the dock and also one from the steam tug, Dunrobin, played until about 2.30. The fire by that time was got under, and Messrs. Evan Johns (of the Fire Brigade), B. Jones, Taylor, and Steele ventured down into the hold, but, owing to the smoke and sulphur, narrowly escaped with their lives. The damage done is very considerable." Weekly Mail [067] 21st June 1883.

• July 1884 - Penarth - Accident - "On Sunday morning a serious accident occurred to a man named John Strange, a mason, employed by Mr T. A. Walker, contractor. It appears that Strange, with several others, was engaged trimming blocks of Radyr stone for the coping and steps for the southern entrance to the new subway which is being made underneath the railway leading from the south side of Penarth Dock to the Lime-kilns-road, when a crane used for raising and lowering of the material suddenly gave way, and in its descent struck Strange on the head, severely injuring him." Cardiff Times [019] 26th July 1884.

• November 1884 - Penarth - The Late Carriage Accident - "It will be remembered that on the occasion of the visit of the committee of "Lloyd's Register of Shipping" to Penarth Dock, on the 21st August last, an alarming accident occurred, which might have been attended with serious if not fatal consequences to the occupants of one of the carriages conveying the party, but which happily resulted only in the death of a valuable horse and the destruction of a vehicle belonging to Mr A. H. Bailey, of the Windsor Mews, Windsor-place, Cardiff. We have now the pleasure to learn that the unfortunate proprietor has just received through Mr Tyrell, the society's surveyor at this port, a cheque for £20, liberally contributed by the committee of "Lloyd's Register," by way of some compensation for the loss sustained by Mr Bailey on the occasion referred to." Cardiff Times [019] 15th November 1884.

• January 1885 - Penarth - Accident - "Jas. O'Brien, a marine store-dealer, when passing near No. 1 tip at Penarth Dock, Wednesday, saw several men of Messrs Insole's tippers pushing a truck of coal with some difficulty, and went to "lend them a hand." He unfortunately got between the tip-gate and the truck, and received severe injuries to his head and body. He was conveyed home in a cab." Cardiff Times [019] 24th January 1885.