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

• March 1886 - Penarth - Accident at the Docks - "A serious accident occurred on Wednesday morning on board the Delston Castle, lying under No. 12 tip. William Morgan, a coal trimmer, went down on to the under deck and fell into the bunker hole. His back was broken, and had to be carried home on a stretcher. Before he went down he was cautioned to beware of the bunker hole, and he took a candle with him so as to be able to see where he was going." Cardiff Times [019] 13th March 1886.

A few days later, it was reported that he subsequently died from his injuries and that the inquest returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." Cardiff Times [019] 3rd April 1886.

• April 1886 - Explosion on Board a Steamer at Penarth - Three Men Injured - "Late on Monday evening an explosion, resulting in the injury of three men, occurred on board the German steamer Wuotan, lying in Penarth Dock. The vessel had, it appears, completed her loading, and, being about to proceed to sea, the engineers and firemen were, at the time the accident took place, below in the engine room engaged in getting up steam. In the pursuit of their avocation three of the men had occasion to enter the bunkers, and while in the act of passing through the door which separates this portion of the vessel from the stokehold a terrific explosion of gas occurred.

The men were hurled to the ground, and on being picked up it was found they had been so badly burned that their removal to the Hamadryad Hospital Ship became a matter of urgent necessity. At the hospital ship, whither they were conveyed with all speed, the men were attended by Dr Hughes, medical superintendent, under whose care they at present remain. Their injuries consist of severe burns about the face, arms, head, and other portions of their body, and Dr Hughes regards their condition as serious in the extreme. The names of the unfortunate fellows are Harold Neilsen, a native of Copenhagen, a fireman ; Heinrich Richards, of Cassel, fireman ; and Gustav Rosengrice, of Melmoe, trimmer.

As already indicated, the explosion originated in the bunkers of the steamer, probably from the accumulation of gas thrown off by the newly-shipped coal. How any large quantity of gas, however, could have accumulated is a mystery, if it be true as said, and there is no reason for doubting the correctness of the statement, that the ventilating arrangements were based on the most approved principles. In consequence of the accident the steamer did not, of course, proceed on her intended voyage, but remained in the dock pending the result of a survey, which took place on Tuesday. It was the found that the vessel itself was totally uninjured." Cardiff Times [019] 3rd April 1886.