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

There was a considerable discussion at this meeting again, and it was unanimously decided to at once proceed to the formation of a new organisation which the hobblers, as distinct from the coal trimmers, could join. A large number agreed to at once transfer their membership, and paid their subscription. A further meeting is called for Sunday next. Officers were selected, as well as a working committee." Barry Herald [216] 26th October 1906.

• October 1906 - Ptomaine Poisoning Theory - Penarth Doctor's Testimony - "Further inquiries at Penarth respecting the suggested ptomaine poisoning of three or four members of the crew of the Peruviana tend to confirm the belief that the cause of death was ptomaine poisoning. Mussels are known to abound at the dock entrance at Penarth, and at low tide it is quite easy to get at them. The fish are supposed to be not so wholesome as those found on rocks, but are, nevertheless, not necessarily poisonous.

Our Penarth representative, in an interview with Dr. Boyle, Penarth, last evening, elicited that the doctor visited the captain on board the Peruviana on Friday morning to treat him for influenza. The captain then casually mentioned that three of his crew had complained of sickness. They were brought up from the work to Dr. Boyle, and he found they had been vomiting, but presented no other symptoms of illness except that one of the men, however, did certainly look ill. The doctor ordered his removal to the Hamadryad Hospital, Cardiff.

Dr. Boyle also advised the other two not to sail, but they persisted in going with the boat. He therefore sent them some medicine to ease the vomiting, and asked the captain to send for him if they did not improve. The three men were Greeks, and very illiterate men, so the doctor had some difficulty in ascertaining what they had really eaten, and could not get beyond the fact that they were sick. The steward, however, told Dr. Boyle that the men had been to Cardiff the previous evening, and on their return late at night vomited a lot of fish.

Did you know that mussels abound at the Penarth Dock entrance? - Yes, and that may have been the cause of the sickness, as I have heard rumoured, for although there may be no sewer inlet (outlet!), yet any dock is little better than a sewer, for all impurities naturally cling to the walls and woodwork, and it is there that mussels attach themselves. Yet I discredit the report of their having eaten mussels.