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

The hulk was ordered in October last, and is now delivered, completely finished, about a month before the contract time - a fact which reflects credit on the Penarth Slipway Company. The hulk will leave for Fishguard on Wednesday. The pontoon hulk is of extra large dimensions and powerfully built to withstand the rough weather sometimes experienced at Fishguard. Steamers requiring coal at this rapidly-growing port will be able to get close alongside the hulk in the harbour, and special attention has been paid to the facilities to enable the necessary bunkering of steamers with great despatch both day and night.

It is about twelve years since the Penarth Slipway Company undertook new shipbuilding work. Notwithstanding that this class of work gives steady employment to the workmen, very little shipbuilding is attempted in the Bristol Channel.

Now that there is a depression of trade this company, with the above described object in view, are endeavouring to encourage this class of work as much as possible.

They have in hand a large hopper barge for the Taff Vale Railway Company, the order for which they successfully obtained in open competition last autumn. This hopper barge will be used in connection with the dredging of the Penarth Roads to keep the entrance of the Penarth Dock clear. It is fitted with all modern improvements, including special gear for opening the doors whilst at sea, &c.

It is expected that the new pontoon for which Parliamentary powers were obtained last year will be ready for work inside the Penarth Dock towards the close of this year, and should place the Penarth Slipway Company in a strong position for competing with the other Bristol Channel shiprepairing firms.' - Evening Express - [135] [361] - 26th January 1909.