Volume Twelve - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - further aspects - A History of Penarth Dock by Roy Thorne . . .

Nevertheless in October 1863 Penarth Dock was still not completed, but the Directors hoped that it would be opened by 30th June 1864.

Messrs Cochran and Company of Dudley had been given the contract for the making and fixing of the dock gates, and the Directors were concerned about the delay in providing the gates so they reminded the Midlands firm of their contract.

More trouble came as the Minutes of the Company recorded in November 1863. "Strike of masons and gantrymen at the Dock Works, 214 masons and 84 gantrymen out. The strike is in consequence of a reduction of wages of 3d per day where the wages are above 4s 6d, and 2d per day where the wages are below that sum.

Mr. Dobson explained that the men on strike were receiving so much strike wages from their Society that it would be impossible to get them to work at the reduced rates, and that if the Company refused to give way the men would soon be scattered and the progress of the works seriously impeded. Mr. Dobson was instructed not to insist upon the reduction, but to resume work at the old wages."

	Dock c.1864 or early 1865.
	Horses used on construction.