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

• April 1886 - Collision in Penarth Docks - "On Monday afternoon, as the screw steamer Restormel, of Cardiff, was loading a cargo of coal in Penarth Dock for Malta, she was run into by the Greek steamer Constantinos. The Restormel's stern was very much damaged, several plates being broken, &c. At the time of the collision the Restormel was moored." Weekly Mail [067] 17th April 1886.

• June 1886 - Penarth - A Coal Trimmers' Grievance - "On Monday morning a large meeting of the Penarth coal hobblers was held on the dock to consider what steps should be taken to prevent men coming from Cardiff to work by the turn. It was unanimously resolved to issue a notice to the foremen trimmers giving them to understand that it had been determined to put a stop to turn work in Penarth." Cardiff Times [019] 5th June 1886.

• October 1886 - Unusual Occurrence at Penarth Dock - A Large Full-Rigged Ship Leaves Dock Under Sail - "A most unusual sight, one that has not before been witnessed at that port, occurred in Penarth on Thursday morning. The large four-masted sailing ship County of Edinburgh (Captain Hood), with a cargo of coal for Bombay, sailed out of the dock without the usual steam assistance.

It appears that there was some disagreement with the tug boat, and the difficulty was solved by the captain ordering sail on the vessel. There was a fresh breeze from the W.S.W. The inner jib, fore and upper topsails, main upper, mizzen lower, and jigger lower sails were set, and the vessel soon left the dock behind. She fetched out just to the eastward of the Holms, and then went about down Penarth Roads. The ship was in charge of Mr Moses White, Cardiff pilot." Weekly Mail [067] 2nd October 1886.

s.v. County of Edinburgh -  the large sailing vessel which departed Penarth Dock in sail during October 1886 - who needs a steam tug anyway?!