Volume One - Into the Victorian Age - The Penarth Dock and Harbour in 1896 . .

The trade of the Dock having developed to such an extent, the Taff "Vale Company found it necessary to increase the accommodation by an additional 5 acres, the Act of Parliament for which was obtained in 1881. The extension works were commenced in November, 1881, and completed in April, 1884, at a cost of £250,000. The length of the Dock is now 2,900 ft., with a Basin of 400 ft. in length, and a water area of Dock and Basin of 26 acres. The width of the Dock entrance is 60 ft. The depth of water at high water ordinary spring tides 36 ft. and at ordinary neaps 26 ft.

The entrance channel from the sea to the outer dock gates is very short, it is always kept dredged to several feet below the dock sill, the Dock Company being owners of the powerful dredger "Ely " (capable of dredging to a depth of 30 ft.), a steam hopper barge, the steam tug "Primrose," and six other hoppers; the dredging plant is constantly at work at the Dock, Basin, and Entrance Channel. The largest vessels trading to the port can be accommodated, and as a matter of fact many of the largest merchant vessels afloat, laden to their utmost capacity, have arrived at and sailed from Penarth Dock without delay and with perfect safety.

The mechanical appliances of the Dock are chiefly worked by hydraulic power, at a pressure of 750 lbs. per square inch. The pressure is supplied by six pumps, two of 5 in. diameter and 24 in. stroke, and four of 3 in. diameter and 24 in. stroke, worked by two pairs of horizontal steam engines, 18 in. cylinder and 24 in. stroke, steam is supplied by four tubular boilers, 27 ft. long and 6 ft. diameter, working at 60 lbs. pressure.