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

• October 1898 - (see image on previous page) - 'The use of Welsh coal in the Channel Squadron'. From a photograph by Captain W. J. Whiffin, R.M.A. - 'In our issue of August 20 we published an illustration showing one result of the Welsh Coal Strike. Dense clouds of smoke were depicted issuing from two battleships of the Mediterranean Squadron which were burning North Country coal. As a contrast, same battleships of the Channel Squadron are here shown entering Gibraltar, steaming 10 knots. There is no smoke to be seen, as the ships are burning Welsh coal'. The Graphic [243] 15th October 1898.

• November 1898 - Accident at Penarth Dock - "Early on Friday morning Thomas Lloyd, a coal-tipper, living at 10, John-street, was engaged in loading coal on a vessel in the Penarth Basin when he was struck by a chute and sustained a fracture of the left leg. He was taken to the infirmary." Evening Express [135] 11th November 1898.

• June 1899 - Accident at Penarth Dock Station - "About eight o'clock on Thursday evening an accident occurred close to the Penarth Dock Station, resulting in the stoppage of traffic for a considerable time. A train, loaded with coal trucks, was being shunted from the main line on to the Barry sidings, when, by some means, four of the trucks left the metals, doing serious damage to the permanent way.

The trucks were also injured, and they blocked the main passenger line, so that trains to and from Penarth had to be shunted on to another line, which means that an hour was occupied in the journeys to and from Cardiff. A breakdown gang was immediately wired for, and the work of clearance begun soon afterwards. Fortunately, no one was injured. It was expected that the lines would be clear by this (Friday) morning." Evening Express [135] 30th June 1899.

• February 1899 - Improving the Penarth Dock - " 'Timber' states that the Taff Vale Railway Company have decided to erect three more tips alongside the Penarth Dock Basin in close proximity to Messrs. Alexander and Co.'s timber yard. The latter will, of course be closed, and Messrs. Alexander and Co. will open a yard at Barry Dock.

One of our reporters endeavoured to get the paragraph verified or contradicted by Mr. Beasley, general manager of the Taff Vale Railway. The gentleman was engaged, but he sent word to the effect that he "had nothing to say about any new tips at Penarth Dock." The information contained in the paragraph quoted has been, however, confirmed from other sources.