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

• September 1879 - Penarth - Drowned - "An inquest was held at the police station on Saturday, before Mr Grover, deputy-coroner, upon the body of William Bruce, second officer of the barque Windsor Castle, who was drowned in Penarth Dock. A sailor gave evidence to the effect that he went down with deceased from Dippis's boarding-house, about eleven o'clock on the night of the 11th, and saw him safely across the bridge over the lock and then left him. Inspector Adams said it was rumoured that deceased had a considerable amount of money in his possession when last seen, but when the body was recovered witness searched it before the captain of the vessel, and found only one half-penny and a discharge note marked "Very good conduct" in his purse. The jury returned a verdict of "Found drowned." Monmouthshire Merlin [167] 26th September 1879.

Does anyone know where Dippis boarding house was situated? Does anyone know where the dead-house was situated at Penarth Dock?

• September 1879 - Dead Body Found at Penarth - "A dead body was brought to the surface in the basin at Penarth Dock, on Friday morning, by the mud-dredger. It was subsequently identified as that of William Bruce, second mate of the iron barque Windsor Castle, now on the gridiron at Penarth. Deceased had been missing since the night of Thursday, the 11th instant. The next morning a cap, supposed to be his, was found floating in the basin, and the place was dragged unsuccessfully. The head and face were very much bruised. The body was removed to the dead-house." Cardiff Times [019] 27th September 1879.

• October 1879 - Penarth - Fire - "A fire broke out in a storeroom of the Penarth Patent Slip Company, in Penarth Dock, on Tuesday night, about half-past 10 o'clock. The fire-engine was soon on the spot, and under the direction of Mr Riley (captain) and John Evans (engineer), did very valuable service, a large quantity of oils, paints, &c., thereby being saved. The fire was not extinguished until half-past one o'clock. It is estimated that several hundred pounds worth of stores were destroyed, and we hear that the goods are not insured." Weekly Mail [067] 4th October 1879.

• November 1879 - Penarth - Gallant Rescue - "On Wednesday, James Fitzpatrick, donkeyman, of the steamer Prado, lying in Penarth Dock, heard cries of distress proceeding from the water alongside his ship. He sprang from the ship's side, and swimming in the direction of the cries, rescued from drowning a seaman named Peter Macarthy, who had stumbled into the dock while in a state of intoxication. Macarthy was in the last stage of exhaustion, being unable to swim." Monmouthshire Merlin [167] 7th November 1879.