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

The cries of the men were heard by the crews of several vessels as she passed, and also by the tug boat Columbus, which was towing her. The captain of the Columbus shortly after the vessel rounded Penarth head heard two shots fired on board the ship, and soon after a man got onto the martingale, and called out his brother had been shot, and pleaded to be taken ashore. The man was, however, ordered on board, and was no more seen.

It appears that first shot was fired from the direction of the poop, right amongst the men on the main deck. The mate who had been aft, rushed forward and shot one of the crew right between the eyes. He staggered along the deck towards the forecastle, and when passing the galley the cook or steward dealt him a severe blow with an axe, laying his face open. The poor fellow got to the forecastle only to meet the brutal captain, who pinned him down, and was about to finish the bloody-work, when the English pilot interfered, and threatened to leave the ship if the man was not at once released. the man was then carried to his bunk below.

All this occurred whilst the ship was between Penarth and Lavernock Point. The tug boat was ordered to tow the vessel to the Nash, the pilot leaving her at Lundy Island on Tuesday morning, and on arriving at Cardiff Wednesday, at once lodged the information with the police. As it is blowing a gale from the South-West, it is probable that the ship may be overhauled before leaving the land." Cambrian [241] 27th November 1874.

They didn't catch up with the 'Nancy Pendleton' before leaving British waters, so far as I know, but the story didn't end there, since the following April, a letter appeared in the Cardiff Times in connection with the alleged outrage. I'll consider my judgement next time I'm sitting on one of those benches on the promenade licking my Thayer's ice-cream! Oh, one other thing, my lovely daughter-in-law, Lisa, being of Zimbabwean origin, objects strongly to be called "coloured" (as the report refers to the men). She states that her skin is not powder blue, mouldy green or shocking pink, but that she is decidedly black; and very proud of it, thank you so much!!

• April 1875 - Letters to the Editor - The Alleged Outrage On Board Ship - "Sir, - The American ship Nancy Pendleton, commanded by Phineas Pendleton, left Penarth Dock on the 23rd November, 1874, for Point de Galle. There was a disturbance on board after leaving the dock, and the pilot, Mr. Thomas Rosser, circulated a most sensational report that Captain Pendleton had shot one man and that others were fearfully abused.