Volume Twelve - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - further aspects - Random Rants, Notes and Articles No.2 . . .

1891 - At Cardiff the situation is still very grave. - On Saturday the coal tippers began to return to their work, and on Monday Mr. Tom Mann called on Sir W. T. Lewis, and tried to negotiate on their behalf. Sir W. T. Lewis declined to recognise the Union, and, consequently, the tippers began to come out again ; the riggers and dockers may follow. A general strike is spoken of, and the tramway men are out for other reasons.

The Barry and Penarth Docks may be blocked before this is published. The miner's attitude is doubtful, but the railway men will perhaps refuse to work coal trains, and extra police have been drafted into the town. “ Smashing the Union" is always an expensive, and sometimes a dangerous, pursuit. - The Speaker vol.III [1215] [499] 21st February 1891.

1876 - Scurvy - We some time ago advocated the appointment of a medical department for the Board of Trade ; and, from the frequent occurrence of scurvy lately reported in sea-going vessels, it would appear that some official medical supervision is absolutely necessary. The iron barque William Wilson, Captain Dalrymple, with guano from Mexillanos, near Valparaiso, 131 days out from Liverpool, arrived a few days ago in Penarth roads, with eight of her crew down with scurvy.

The captain and three officers were the only persons on board able to work the vessel. The men state that they have been ill for the last two months, and that during the last three days of the voyage the lime-juice and provisions were exhausted. The crew were landed, and taken to the hospital-ship. They are said to be very much emaciated, and the recovery of some of them appears doubtful. - The Week - Medical Times and Gazette vol.1 [1216] [499] 11th March 1876.