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

Although the hatchway was open there is no doubt that the gas had accumulated in the upper hatchway, and when the lighted gas from the lower hold passed to the upper hold the gas there ignited also, and rushed out of the open hatchway with great force. This second volume of gas caused those in the upper hold to be more severely burt than O'Herne, who was in the lower hold.

As soon as the panic caused by the explosion had subsided, measures were taken to prevent the fire, if any in the coal, from spreading, and under the direction of Captain Pengelley, a quantity of water was thrown down the hold as a dense volume of smoke continued to issue from it. The watertight bulkhead between each compartment prevented the ignited gas from spreading, and thus saved the lives of those on board, and also prevented the ship from being injured.

After the injured men had been attended to at the lodge by Dr. Nell, an omnibus was procured, and they were all conveyed to their homes. All with the exception of Evan Davies walked to the omnibus, but he was carried, being quite helpless, and has received other injuries than those arising from burns. Great fears are entertained that he will not recover, but the other men are progressing favourably. Dr. Nell being almost constantly attending to them. The men who are more seriously burned, have portions of the flesh hanging from the bone, showing the intense heat to which they were subjected for a short time. The loading of the Caduceus was soon afterwards completed, and she left the Penath Dock by the afternoon tide. Cardiff Times [019] 29th June 1878.

• August 1878 - Accidental Death - Inquest - "An inquest was held before Deputy coroner Grover, at the Penarth Police Station, on Wednesday, on the body of an Italian sailor, belonging to the Italian ship Sia, now lying in Penarth Dock. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased was painting the vessel on Tuesday afternoon, when he fell into the water, it is thought in a fit, and sank immediately. A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned." Cardiff Times [019] 31st August 1878.

• October 1878 - The New Mission and Reading-Room at Penarth Dock - "The new building in the connection with the Mission to Seamen at Penarth Dock is just completed. It is a neat rectangular structure formed of white brick, with red brick dressing and with dark coloured tiles. It is two storeys high.the lower floor being divided into two rooms, each 20 feet square - one is intended as an ordinary seaman's room, and will be supplied with newspapers, &c., and opened as a public reading-room ;