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

Are mussels naturally poisonous? - No ; if properly cleaned they may be all right. All round Penarth is very bad for all kinds of fish, but more especially shell fish, because of the bad state of both the rivers Taff and Ely, and the local drainage.

The bacteriological examination of the viscera of the two men who died under suspicious circumstances on board the steamer Peruviana, which sailed from Penarth last week, shows that the deaths were not due to cholera.

The four men under treatment in the Intercepting Hospital are making satisfactory progress. Orders have been given for the release of the steamer from quarantine and she will resume her voyage to Boston immediately.

Resumption of the Voyage - The quarantined steamer Peruviana has now on the doctor's report been released from quarantine. Six fresh men were shipped to take the place of those who died or are in hospital, and the steamer left Queenstown last evening and resumed her voyage to Boston." Cardiff Times [019] 20th October 1906.

• January 1907 - Ship on Fire at Penarth Dock - Mishap to the Town Brigade Engine - "A fire broke out late on Saturday night on board the steamship Longhurst, 1,952 tons, owned by Messrs. Pyman, Watson, and Co., lying in Penarth Dock. Captain Martin, deputy-dockmaster, was soon at hand with the reel and hose, and descended No.3 'tween decks, where he found a wooden bulkhead and a number of shifting boards ablaze. Captain Martin handled the hose himself, and, after battling with the outbreak for about twenty minutes, succeeded in subduing the flames on the foreside of the bulk-head. He then got the hose into play on the shifting boards in the aft part of No. 3 hatchway. This was attended by many difficulties, but with the desired result. The Penarth Brigade, with engine, responded to the alarm, but were unable to get near the ship, the wheels of the engine becoming jammed in the points on the dock side." Weekly Mail [067] 19th January 1907.

• February 1907 - Dock Congestion ; Effect of the Coal Boom - "An extraordinary result of the Welsh coal boom has just been witnessed at Penarth, when the Penarth Dock authorities, owning to the congested state of the dock were obliged to shut their gates temporarily against further tonnage. Not since the Barry Docks were opened in 1889, has such a state of affairs been witnessed at any local docks.