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

	The general conveniences of the Dock are most complete. Telephonic communication is established between the Dock Offices, Pier Head Office, Coal and Ballast Offices, Sidings, Coal Staiths, and to an enquiry office at the Cardiff Exchange, as well as to the head offices of the Taff Vale Company at Cardiff.

There is a Post Office, Postal Telegraph Office, Customs' Office, Mercantile Marine Office, and Telephone Call Rooms on the Dock side. The Dock is lighted by powerful electric lights as well as by gas.

It is believed that the volume of trade done at Penarth Dock in one year has not been equalled by any other Dock in the world of its size, the trade of one year being:—

Penarth Tidal Harbour.

The Penarth Ely Tidal Harbour is also under the control of the Taff Vale Railway Company, and is connected with its Railways and the other railway systems of the district like Penarth Dock. It has a river frontage on the north side of about 12,000 ft., and the water area is about 26 acres. There are six hydraulic coal staiths and one hydraulic crane. The trade is composed chiefly of small coasting vessels which take the ground at low water. The depth of water varies from about 30 ft. high water ordinary spring tides to 20 ft. at ordinary neaps. The principal trade of the Harbour is the export of coal.