Volume Two - The Era of Optimism, Investment & Development - Some newspaper reports from the 1900's . . .

• July 1905 - Fire at Penarth Dock - "A fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon in the lamp-room adjoining the Penarth Dock Station (T.V.R.) at about 5.30. The structure was of zinc with an inner framework of wood, and covered an area of about eight yards. In the room was a barrel of oil and about 50 signal lamps, all of which have been destroyed. The cause of the fire can only be attributed to one of the lamps having exploded. Some of the lamps were lit at 5 o'clock, and the lampman had not been gone one minute to put a couple of them on signal posts near by when a cloud of smoke was seen to rise suddenly from the roof. The damage done was not great." Cardiff Times [019] 15th July 1905.

• December 1905 - Crushed at Penarth Dock - "Richard Keen, a brakesman on the T.V.R., was admitted to the Cardiff Infirmary early on Saturday suffering from injuries to his right knee. He was working on one of the mineral trains at Penarth Dock, when his knee was crushed between the buffers of two trucks. He was removed by train to Cardiff, and thence on the ambulance to the Infirmary. Keen, who lives at Llandaff Yard, is not thought to have sustained serious damage to the knee." Cardiff Times [019] 30th December 1905.

• February 1906 - Penarth Dock Fatality - Traffic Inspector's Fate - "On Saturday a painfully sad fatality occurred at Penarth Docks, when a local traffic inspector Mr Henry Griffiths, met with a violent death. Just how the accident happened it is at present impossible to say, for no one seems to have witnessed it. About 12.15 a fireman happened to be crossing the main line along the docks near the tipping offices, over which an empty coal train had just passed, when he discovered the terribly mangled remains of Mr Griffiths. It is conjectured that the deceased was returning from his work on his way to dinner, and as the train for the moment was stationary he attempted to crawl beneath the wagons. His right shoulder, leg, and arm were badly smashed and practically severed. the body was placed on a stretcher and conveyed to the mess-room near by before being taken to deceased's home.

Mr Griffiths was about 62 years of age, and had been connected with the Taff Vale Railway Company upwards of 45 years, and was greatly respected by his colleagues at Penarth. He attained his position as traffic inspector in 1888, upon the retirement of the late Mr Samuel John. He leaves a widow, three sons, and a daughter to mourn his loss. He was a Churchman, and for some years officiated as sidesman at the Holy Nativity Church, Penarth." Cardiff Times [019] 24th February 1906.