Volume Nine - Pre-Victorian to the present day - even more aspects - Penarth Dock and Tidal Harbour - Handbook - 1893 . . .

By means of powerful centrifugal pumps the depth of water in the Dock is maintained at any height required.

The Dock gates are opened and closed by hydraulic power, the hydraulic capstans are available at the outer and inner gates to assist vessels passing in or out. The Dock is exceptionally handy and convenient for transporting vessels, and the cost for hauling is very low as compared with the other Docks in the Channel.

Quick working hydraulic and steam cranes for discharging cargoes and ballast are provided on the north side of the Dock, where there is extensive wharfage accommodation, and are so arranged that as many as four cranes can be worked simultaneously on one vessel. Ballast, iron ore, esparto, timber, deals, and general cargoes can, by these means, be discharged with great dispatch.

A moveable crane, capable of lifting 20 tons, is always available for loading and discharging articles of exceptional weight.

Railway wagons can be re-tared after shipment, with the same dispatch and on the same terms as any other Dock.

Steamers leaving in ballast can take bunker coal over the tip, and ballast from lighters alongside at the same time, and vessels frequently load at tip and unballast into lighters concurrently.

There is a commodious warehouse for the storage of goods in transit on the north side of the Dock, in close proximity both to the ship's side and to the railway siding.

Every facility for docking and executing repairs of all descriptions to the largest class of vessels is provided by the Penarth Slipway Co., Windsor Slipway Co., and the Mount Stuart Dry Dock Co., and vessels going to any of these Companies' works, and afterwards loading at Penarth Dock, do not incur any additional Dock Dues. There are several marine repairing shops on the Dock side, where small repairs can be executed.