Volume Eleven - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - some more aspects - Handbook to Penarth Dock & Ely Tidal Harbour - 1904 . . .

The general conveniences of Penarth Dock are quite equal, if not superior, to those provided elsewhere. A post and telegraph office is situated near the Dock entrance, and there is a direct telephone connection with Cardiff, Cardiff Docks, and the principal towns in South Wales, the Midland Counties, and West of England, including Bristol.

The Company also have telephone communication between the Dock Offices and the Coal Tipping and Ballast Offices and Storage Sidings. The Company have also a private telephone between their offices at the Exchange, Cardiff, and the Offices at Penarth Dock and Penarth Harbour, as well as with the Tipping and Ballast Offices, and the Company's Chief Offices at Cardiff.

Custom House, Postal and Telegraph Office, and Mercantile Marine Offices are situated near the Dock entrance, where there is a Hotel belonging to the Company, who are also owners of the Penarth Hotel, access to which is obtained by a private road from the Dock. The later Hotel stands in its own grounds of about 20 acres, on an eminence overlooking the Channel, and is one of the most comfortable and well-appointed in South Wales. Its proximity to the Dock will be found of much convenience to owners, over-lookers, captains of vessels, and others having business there.

The appliances for extinguishing fire are of the most complete character, and are at all times available. A Fire Brigade has been organised consisting of members of the Dock Staff, and is frequently drilled under its own officers. The Company's tug " Primrose, " is fitted with the most perfect fire engine in the Channel. She is also available for hire in salvage cases, being competent to pump water from a sinking vessel with the utmost rapidity.

For the shipment of coal, the appliances at Penarth are of the latest and most approved description. There are 16 high level tips (14 on the Dock and two on the Basin), some of which are double or twin tips, and three have moveable shoots, rising to a maximum height of 45 feet, whereby steamers of the largest class can be bunkered light and take their Cargo without interruption, whatever the level of the water may be. All the tips are worked by hydraulic power, and are fitted with double screens ; and every provision has been made for shipping Coal with the minimum of breakage. Four moveable tips have recently been constructed on the North side of the Basin.