Volume One - Into the Victorian Age - The Penarth Shipbuilding & Ship Repairing Company Limited . . .

It was generally thought that there was little doubt that when the slipway and engine works were fully completed and at work, the return to the shareholders would be of a most satisfactory character." Indeed, the shareholders did subsequently receive improved return on their investment, for in 1882 they awarded themselves 12½% for the year and in 1890 it was 10%.

• July 1878 - Employment - Carpenters - New Slipway, Penarth Docks - "used to pile-driving and rough timber work.' - The Illustrated Carpenter and Builder [1083] [499] 12th July 1878.

• October 1879 - "A good deal of interest has been aroused at Penarth by the testing of the slip-way and gridiron. It is computed that, for want of necessary accommodation, 257 vessels, averaging 1000 tons each, failed to be docked at Penarth in one year.

The gridiron has been in use since May last, but the slip-way, designed by Mr. John Thompson, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, is only just completed. Its length is 867ft., and it is so built as to be able to accommodate two large vessels at the same time.

The engine used was made by Bells and Co., of Walker. On the occasion of the test, which took place on Saturday last, an iron steamer, 696 tons register, and weighing 1200 tons, was drawn up in a most successful manner." - The Engineer [015] [499] 3rd October 1879.

• October 1879 - "The new slipway and gridiron at Penarth Docks near Cardiff, were formally tested on Saturday. They have been constructed by Mr. W. E. Jackson. The gridiron (350 ft. in length) was designed by Mr. George Cooper, the manager of the Penarth Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing Company ; and the slipway, which is 867 ft. long, by Mr. John Thompson, of Newcastle-on-Tyne." - The Building News [1087] [499] 10th October 1879.