Volume One - Into the Victorian Age - Some newspaper reports from the 1880's

• July 1882 - Serious Accidents at the New Penarth Dock - "On Tuesday there were two accidents of a serious nature at the new Penarth Dock works. It appears that the excavators in the employ of the contractor, Mr. Walker, are obliged to use dynamite for the purpose of blowing up the rock, and a charge had just been fired when one of the loosened stones, weighing about 10 lbs., was projected a distance of 200 yards, finally coming into contact with the back of a labouring man named Patrick Murphy, of Cwmavon, who was very much injured by the force of the blow. He was conveyed to the Infirmary, where it was found that he had sustained severe internal injuries. On the same day, James Thomas, a navvy, while at work at the new dock, fell from a wall, a depth of 40ft. He is said to have alighted on his head, but received no fracture. He was subsequently conveyed to the Cardiff Infirmary." Weekly Mail [067] 1st July 1882.

• July 1882 - Coal Shipments at Penarth - "The shipments at the Penarth Dock during the six months ended June 30, 1882, were as follow, viz. :- Coal, 1,000,341 tons 4 cwt., and coke 11,970 tons 17 cwt. ; total 1,012,312 tons 1 cwt. This is the largest half-yearly shipment since the opening of the dock and exceeds the corresponding period of last year by 111,490 tons. The highest week reached was 49,238 tons, and the highest day 10,263. The largest quantity tipped at one tip in a day was 2,036 tons, and the average per day per tip was 900 tons, and the average per hour per tip 37½ tons. Until this half-year a million tons had not hitherto been shipped at Penarth in the same period, the highest for previous half years falling short by about 100,000 tons. Taking into consideration the circumstance that one of the tips has been stopped for upwards of three months for re-building, the foregoing statement must be deemed highly satisfactory." Weekly Mail [067] 8th July 1882.

• July 1882 - The Fatal Accident at Penarth New Docks - "The deputy coroner for Cardiff, Mr Grover, held an inquest on Monday, on the body of John Davies, aged 18, late residing at No. 10, Hill-street, Swansea. It appears that deceased was killed by a crane accident at Penarth new dock, where he was employed as an excavator, under Mr Walker, contractor. From the evidence it appeared that two cranes, which were being worked close together near where the deceased was excavating, came into contact as they were being swung around. A bucket became detached in consequence, and fell from where it hung, 30ft., above the ground, on to the deceased head. He was struck down and received several injuries, and was taken to the Infirmary. He was received at the institution at 4.30 p.m. and expired at 5.20 on the same day (the 20th inst).