Volume One - Into the Victorian Age - Some newspaper reports from the 1890's

When he rushed to the spot deceased cried "Oh, oh" but by the time they got him out he was dead. They were only seven of eight minutes getting him out. Decreased's clothes were torn open on the right side of his body. His opinion was that the deceased's clothes caught the rope, and pulled him in. Deceased was - Squeezed to Death - and blood was flowing from his mouth and ears. Dr. Neil was sent for, and on arrival he pronounced life to be extinct. He did not think there was any blame to be attached to anyone, it was a simple accident.

Captain Robert Melbourne, late master of the s.s. Oswin, belonging to Turnbull Bros., Cardiff, stated that the accident happened about 3 o'clock. He was on the bridge with Thomas at the time of the occurrence. One of the men came up and told them that it was reported that a man was in the donkey engine, and he followed Thomas aft, and saw the body as described by the last witness. Immediate steps were taken to release him. He thought he was dead when he got to the winch.

Edward Keen, boatman, 75, Maughan-street, who fetched the doctor said he fell down exhausted on the top, and asked a man named Lawson to help run for a doctor, but he refused. John Donovan, rigger, 26, Arcot-street, corrobated, and in answer to the forman stated that he could work the winch all right. He had done so hundreds of times. The Foreman asked all the witnesses this question, remarking to the coroner that his reason for doing so was that there was an impression around the place that the deceased was doing two men's work, and if another man had been with him at the time he might not have been killed. All the witnesses affirmed that it was usual custom for one man to work a winch by himself, although two might do so.

The Coroner said that if a man undertook a work that was more than one man ought to do, of course he ran a risk, and in a measure it was his own fault. Therefore he did not think they could blame anyone. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," imputing no blame to anyone, but there was a strong opinion prevalent that one man ought not to be allowed to work a winch by himself." South Wales Star [159] 29th September 1893.

• June 1893 - Cardiff - "In consequence of the return of the South Wales miners to their work, every tip at Cardiff, Penarth, and Barry has been fully employed during the last few days. A large fleet of steamers and sailing vessels, which had been waiting for coal, is now thinning off, and it is expected that matters will resume their normal appearance in about a week." - Engineering [516] [499] 15th September 1893.