Volume Six - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - Select Aspects - Crossing the River Ely . .

Unrelated to one legged dancers, I found this entertaining piece of anti-social historical misbehaviour for your delectation:-

1868 - "Prize Fight. - On Saturday morning, two men, named Cornelius Leary and Alfred Gag, employed on Penarth dock, thought proper to amuse themselves between three and four o'clock, by having a pitched battle for £3 aside. It appears that there has been some jealousy existing between the Canton men, and the two must needs arrange to fight it out. After doing battle for thirty-odd minutes, Leary was declared winner. Several summonses, it is said, are to bring the men before the police magistrates."

The aversion of the Marquis of Bute to all, and any, development at Penarth unless it lined his pockets shows in this letter published in the Cardiff, Methyr, Glamorgan, Monmouth, and Brecon Gazette: [156]

1860 - "The Steam Ferry to Penarth. - To The Editor of the Guardian. - Sir. - We have enjoyed for three weeks the accommodation afforded by the above means of reaching the pleasantest suburb of Cardiff; but I regret to say a rumour is already afloat that the boat will be withdrawn in consequence of the charges insisted on by the Trustees of the Marquis of Bute. A demand for full dues seven times in one day has been made on this little boat, although she only runs a distance of a mile and a half; and for a trip occupying about eight minutes she must pay the same as though she ran to London, Liverpool, or any more distant port, and occupied a berth in the docks for a month. I am told the charge for this kind of boat in Bristol, running between that place and Hotwells, is about the same per annum as the charge here per day.

Surely there must be some misunderstanding. I cannot believe it is the wish of the Trustees to deprive myself and others (who enjoy far too little fresh air) of an easy means of reaching the only bit of beach near our not-over-pleasant town. Hoping the insertion of may attract the attention of someone capable of preventing the loss of a great accommodation. I am, Sir, yours respectfully, J. T. Cardiff, 4th July, 1860."

1869 - "Penarth. - A Steam Ferry. - A new steam ferry-boat has just been brought to Penarth. The boat has made two trips across the river Ely, at high water, which she accomplished in one minute and a half, and appears to answer the purpose exceedingly well in smooth water. It is doubtful whether the boat will answer in rough weather. The company is about to construct a new landing-stage, a quarter of a mile higher up the river than the present landing-stage." Cardiff Times [019] 25th September 1869.