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

Thomas requested him to return to the vessel, but he refused to do so, and on an attempt being made to take him into custody he violently assaulted Thomas, striking him in the face and butting him with his head. A Dock Constable named Fry was also assaulted by Crawley, whom he attempted to arrest. - The Bench imposed the full penalty of £5 : in default, one month's imprisonment, with hard labour." Weekly Mail [067] 18th June 1887.

• July 1887 - Serious Explosion On Board Ship at Penarth - "A very alarming explosion, follwed by a fire, occurred about half-past eight on Wednesday morning on board a fine German vessel, the Columbus, of Bremen, then lying under No. 10 Tip, at Penarth Dock. The vessel is a large three-masted ship of about 2,000 tons register, and was under a charter for a cargo of the Glamorganshire Company's coal. By the time left work for breakfast on Wednesday about 600 tons of those had been put in.

All was appaently then right below, but a few minutes before a quarter to nine o'clock a terrific explosion was heard coming from the fore part of the ship, and those who were near saw a great body of flame shoot skyward from the fore hatchway. Forthunately, no one was near at the time, or fatal results must have ensued. Some idea of the intensity of the balst may be gathered from the fact that the foremast is charred almost to the foretop.

Scarce before the noise of the explosion had ceased the decks presented a scene of the greatest confusion. Not knowing what had happened, the men rushed from the forecastle, their first idea evidently being that of securing safety. But it was soon apparent, whatever danger there might be, the worst, as far as human life was concerned, had passed, though, the ship having caught fire, prompt measures were preemptorily needed.

A message was at once despatched for Captain Pengelley (dockmaster) and Captain Davies (deputy-dockmaster), who hurried to the vessel. Orders were given to clsoe the hatches, in the hope of smothering the flames, and under the direction of the officials the vessel was towed away from too close proximity to other shipping and into the basin. The first idea was to take her outside and beach her, but it was found unnecessary to do this, the efforts of her crew and the dock men, who had been summoned, and who continued to pour into the hold a strong stream of water from the hydrants and the floating pump which had been brought alongside, having already taken appreciable effect.