Volume One - Into the Victorian Age - Some newspaper reports from the 1870's

providing accommodation for a much larger traffic over their railway, to supplement it for providing facilities for a larger output of coal. He showed that within a short radius 47 collieries were being opened, and that when at work they might calculate an addition to their present output of half a million tons. The present shipping accommodation was barely sufficient for the quantity of coal now sent down, but if the quantity was increased a half million of tons it would only create a block at the docks, and the immense capital being thrown into these collieries from the extension of the coal trade would be almost useless, and the coal owners finding no output for their coal at Cardiff would send it to other parts, and this would probably lead to the formation of new docks at Barry by private enterprise.

Dr. Nicholl Carne, the chairman of the directors, replied that they were fully aware of the importance of the subject laid before them so clearly by Mr. Riches, and to which their attention had been directed on previous occasions. The matter had had and would have their serious consideration, but nothing definite could be decided upon at present. He promised that the question should at an early day again have the consideration of the directors. Major Page, on the part of the deputation, thanked the board for the courteous manner in which they had been received, and the deputation then withdrew." Cardiff Times [019] 31st October 1874.

The TVR board deliberated upon the Penarth dock extension for years afterwards and it wasn't finally realised until 1884 by which time the continued delays at the ports of Cardiff and Penarth had frustrated the coal-owners and coal-shippers alike ; it was then that the Barry dock project became a viable alternative to circumvent the monopolistic inactions of both the Bute and the TVR empires.

• November 1874 - Alleged Inhuman Treatment of a Crew - "The American ship Nancy, Captain Pendleton, which left Penarth Docks on Monday night, coal laden for Point De Galle, was shortly after leaving the dock the scene of a frightful tragedy. It appears that the ship was entirely manned by coloured men, the officers being white. The crew were perfectly sober, and the officers began to strike the men with billets of wood, capstan bars, and belaying pins, (see image left) without any apparent provocation.