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

On the beach a very heavy sea was breaking, and, there being a large number of vessels in the roads, a great many persons assembled in the morning for the purpose of rendering any assistance that might be wanted to vessels drifting ashore.

From the Penarth Ferry to Lavernock Point nearly a score of vessels of various descriptions have been driven ashore. At the ferry several smacks were beached, and one sank at her moorings. Two others were driven ashore near the Pier Head.

An impression of Penarth beach after the storm by Julie based on a lithographic illustration in 'The Graphic' magazine published in early 1881.

At Penarth Beach three brigantines came ashore between the Kymin and the lifeboat house. These are the 'Parkside', of Dundalk, Capt. Evers, with pitwood ; the 'Restless', of Salcombe, in ballast ; and the 'Jeanne Marle', of St. Malo, in ballast. These are high and dry, and have not sustained much damage.

From the lifeboat house to Lavernock the following vessels were wrecked : - The iron barque 'Morella', from Sharpness, owned by Messrs. Davis and Sons, from Harve, in ballast ; and the 'Juan', Swedish barque, with pitwood. The crews of the 'Morella' 'Juan', and of a brig whose names we could not ascertain were saved by the rocket apparatus, which was efficiently worked by the coastguardsmen ; the crew of the 'Etta', came ashore in their own boats. No lives were lost.

It is rumoured, but the report lacks confirmation, that another vessel, name not given, has been wrecked, and that the crew of nine have drowned. Several vessels are thought to be in great danger in the roads, and it is hardly possible that the night will pass without other vessels being driven ashore.

In the dock not much damage has, as yet, been done. One or two vessels have partially broken loose, but they have not inflicted serious injury on themselves nor on the shipping by which they are surrounded.