Volume Four - An Era of Change, Uncertainty, Depression & War - The Penarth Dock Engineering Company Limited . . .

The company was bought out in 1942 by the Penarth company and key machine tools and equipment set up in premises under the Fownes Forge name next to Hodges Engineering Limited situated on the No.1 dock at Barry. I believe that I regularly used the vintage crankshaft grinder in question. It produced three lobed, out of round journals, as per the diagram on the left. When measured with a micrometer you obtain a consistent reading since the diameter is the same across any two points. When the crankshaft is put into service the bearing surface is greatly reduced and effectively applies a point load with premature bearing failure as a consequence.

The GWR Track Layout Diagrams [008] indicate that the original PSA (Private Siding Agreement) for the Penarth Pontoon and Ship Repairing Company Limited at the Penarth Shipyard situated on the River Ely was entered into on the 27th March 1908. Alterations to the sidings were undertaken during 1914.

British Railways were informed of the change of company name in a letter dated 23rd October 1961, to that of the Penarth Dock Engineering Company Limited. A further letter dated 15th April 1965 stated that the company no longer required the sidings at the site of the former slipway and gridiron.

Back in the House of Commons [088] a question was asked in April 1970 by the Hon. Anthony Berry:

"Does the Minister agree that, since it was part of the 1968 Act that this company should come to an end and most of its important duties for passengers and freight have ended and it is now acting mainly as travel agents, it is time that these important people were freed from this responsibility instead of having to look after companies such as the Penarth Dock Company, whose profits have fallen from £48,000 to £3,000 in two years?"