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

Speeches followed by the Rev. C. J. Thompson, vicar of St. John's, Cardiff ; Rev. - Wilson, representing the London Committee of the Missions to Seamen, and Mr. R. Monroe, manager of the Patent Slipway, Penarth Dock. Master Cedric A. F. Browne, the chaplain's son, presented Mrs. Beasley with a very handsome bouquet of flowers, made by Messrs Case, of Cardiff, and Mr. Beasley returned thanks on behalf of Mrs Beasley, promising to give the whole of the first lot of bunker coal, which offer was afterwards supplemented by another from Mr Philip Coward.

The party then proceeded to the bow of the vessel, where the chaplain read a poem specially composed by Mr. E. A. Walker, author of "Old England," &c., and prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr Wilson. Mrs Beasley then performed the christening ceremony, and amid cheers from the assembled crowd, which could not have numbered less than 1,000, the 'Eirene' was launched, taking to the water splendidly. By the Fastnet she was afterwards taken round and docked. We understand the Bishop will attend on the 16th inst. for the consecration service, and she will shortly proceed on her trial trip.' - Cardiff Times [019] [361] 14th May 1898.

1898 - Missions to Seamen Society - 'The trial trip of the new Missions to Seamen screw steamer 'Eirene' took place on Saturday, leaving Penarth Dock about 9:30 a.m. The party on board included a number of invited guests and several interested in the various departments of the vessel. The weather was very unpropitious, but the boat behaved excellently, and the trip was successful in every respect.

The 'Eirene' is well suited for the mission work for which she has been built, being safe, swift and spacious. She was built and engined at the yard of the Penarth Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing Company, by whom she was designed, and of which Mr. Monroe is the manager.

At the close of the trial trip competent authorities in their various departments complimented Mr. Monroe upon the success of his work, and congratulated the Missions to Seamen Society upon having acquired such an excellent steamer. Dinner and tea were served on board during the trip.' - Evening Express [135] [361] 23rd May 1898.