Volume Six - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - Select Aspects - Reconstruction of Three Tips - 1912 - 17 . . .

The East Ferry Road Company, (its works adjoining Millwall Docks Station, G.E.R.) confirmed their understanding using the letterhead of the previous page and on 7th March 1912, Mr. E. Edwards, the Company Secretary of the TVR wrote "I am instructed to inform you that your tender has been accepted for the construction, delivery and erection at Penarth Dock, of three tips to replace those numbered 4, 11, and 12 for the sum of £13,500 less 2½%, in accordance with the general conditions . . ."

Letters crossed and the East Ferry Road Company wrote to J. Cameron Esq. at the TVR: "I quite understand the position that each Tip has to be completed and at work before you start dismantling the next. This is perfectly clear to me. My point, however, is that we have undertaken to complete the first one in in nine months, and the second one in fifteen months from receipt of order, which leaves six months between the two. In that interval, of course, my second Tip will of course be ready and waiting for us to start erection, but you have not said (how long) it will take you to clear the site after we have completed the first and before we can start on the erection of the second. I suppose, however, we can reckon that you will not exceed one month for this work. From your experience, however, you will be aware that we shall be having dark mornings and long nights at the time the second one will be going up, and it will take us four to five months to get it completed on the site.

I feel sure, however, that we shall be able to arrange this to our mutual satisfaction, and in every way in accordance with your specification. Yours faithfully, F. S. Tuckett, Managing Director."

In a response dated 8th March 1912 the TVR confirmed: "I may say that the Company require these tips badly and it will be expected that you will be up to time in the completion of them."

Then on the 18th March 1912 came another issue: "Dear Sirs, In consequence of the Coal Strike, we are experiencing considerable difficulty in obtaining delivery of material from the manufacturers.

For the protection of our own interests, we are compelled to give notice that, in the circumstances, it may be impossible for us to complete orders in hand within the time stipulated in the Contracts. We are, Yours faithfully, for the East Ferry Road Engineering Works Co. Ltd., F. S. Tuckett, Managing Director."