Volume Nine - Pre-Victorian to the present day - even more aspects - The Missions to Seamen at Penarth . . .

Differences have unhappily broken out between the Doctor and the Committee of the Society that was formed to support the mission ; the 'Eirene' no longer spreads her wings on her errand of Peace ; but we believe that the Missionary still pursues his labour of love undauntedly.' [499] [508]

A thesis by a Master Mariner named Alston Kennerley contains a well researched and detailed account of the activities of the Rev. Ashley : -

'With the formation of a society to support him he engaged in a major deputation exercise during 1840 and 1841, visiting towns and parishes throughout South Wales and Devon and Somerset to obtain donations and subscriptions which enabled a cutter to be built and fitted out with a chapel capable of accommodating 130 men. Ashley was intensely active ; he recorded in his second letter that in one period of 25 days he had visited 220 ships. On occasion he managed 20 to 30 visits in a day, where ships were anchored close enough, as could happen off Penarth, where he reported there could be as many as 400 ships. . . . Ashley's ministry ended in 1850 when he retired exhausted.'

'The vessel 'Eirene' (peace), cost £450 to build, £775 to fit out, £104 for ballast, and was supplied with a small boat (£13), total cost £1,342. It had a permanent crew and a flag signaling system to indicate times of services.' [509]

	1839-1841 - Flag signals for communication to all nearby moored and passing vessels of services aboard the first Penarth Mission ship to be christened 'Eirene' plus another look at her, entitled : - 'Lithograph showing the Bristol Channel mission cutter Eirene in Penarth Roads, 29.11.1843.'
	The Missions to Seamen building at Penarth Dock and 'Passat' in 1950 and a section of a 1920's plan of the Penarth Dock indicating the location of the Missions to Seamen building.