Volume Eight - Pre-Victorian to the present day - more aspects - Storms and their effects . . .

• February 1870 - Incident of the Gale - 'An American vessel arrived in Penarth Roads a few days ago. The master came ashore to transact some business, but attempting to return to the ship on Monday, he found no vessel there. The crew had evidently been obliged to slip the anchor and run to sea.' - Western Mail [164] [361] 25th November 1870.

• March 1897 - Struck by Lightning - 'We learn that during the storm on Wednesday evening a young man named Maldridge, living at Eastbrook, Penarth, was walking the road from the Merry Harriers towards Eastbrook, when he was struck by a flash of lightning. Besides receiving bodily injuries, the young man lost his power of sight, which up to the present has not returned. On being taken home he was attended by Dr. Roach.' - South Wales Echo [163] [361] 20th March 1897.

• February 1873 - Wrecks and Casualties in Penarth Roads - 'Our maritime reporter writing on Monday says:- The weather in the Bristol Channel has been terrific, and the sea is still very rough below the Foreland. The Austrian brigantine 'Erin', from Gloucester for this port in ballast, drove from her anchors during the gale, and went ashore at Penarth. She will become a total wreck. The schooner 'Eliza Cook', which sank off Penarth Head, is breaking up ; she is insured. Another schooner is sunk off Penarth head, her masts being discernible above the water. She is believed to be the 'Catherine', of and from Gloucester for this port, with iron. Nothing is known of her crew, and it is believed they are drowned. The 'Babel', of and for Fowey, with coal, was run into by the 'Celine Marie', and suffered damage. The French vessel also fouled the smack 'Eliza', Chepstow. The 'Jenne Henriette', of Caen ; 'Accetere', of St. Malo ; and the 'Agathe', of Nantes, lost anchors, and went ashore at Penarth.' - Cardiff Times [019] [361] 8th February 1873.

• May 1863 - Cardiff - The Gale - 'A tremendous gale from N.N.W. commenced on Tuesday, and continued during the whole of the night. As the evening tide began to flow, the sea came rolling in in tremendous force, and great fears were entertained for the safety of vessels lying in Penarth roads. A French schooner, supposed to be the 'Rosa Maria', which left port on Tuesday morning, loaded with coal, when riding outside, slipped her anchor, and was driven on shore at Penarth Head. The steam tug 'Spirit of the Tyne' observing the dangerous position of the vessel, went to her assistance, and, notwithstanding the heavy sea, succeeded in getting a line on board.