Volume One - Into the Victorian Age - The dock extension of 1883 . . .

The amount of the contract is about £160,000, and before the present state was reached about 750 workers were employed. The number engaged now is nearly 350.

The opening of the new tip was witnessed by Mr. Clarke Hawkshaw, son of Sir. John Hawkshaw, engineer to the Penarth Dock Company; Mr. H. Plisher; Mr. J. Hurman; Mr. Nicholson, secretary; Mr. H. J. Edwards, superintendent of the dock, and others, who afterwards made an inspection of the works. In the course of their rounds they came across a body of the Barry Dock promoters, headed by Mr. David Davies, M.P., who were making and inspection, presumably for the benefit their adviser, Mr. Littler, Q.C. Amongst those present in addition to the gentlemen named were Mr. R. Forrest, agent to Lord Windsor; Mr. Foster Brown, Mr. Thompson, Mr. A. Hood, Mr. Downing, solicitor to the promoters, and others. Mr. Davies, in the course of conversation, asked why the Penarth Dock Company had not got the moveable tips. Mr. Plisher replied that the company were waiting to see the experience of others first. After a few words together the parties divided and continued their tours. The loading of vessels will go straight on now, and as each tip is completed it will be brought into use." Western Mail [164] 10th April 1884.

I decided to look more closely at the amazing image of the extension works of 1883. The sections of that image below vividly illustrate the foregoing text descriptions: