An office copy letter from the Penarth Pontoon, Slipway and Ship Repairing Company, Limited, Penarth Dock, Cardiff, dating from January 1918. Telegrams should be addressed to "Pontoon, Penarth". Alternatively, pick up the telephone and await the 'Hello Girl' (i.e. the operator) ask 'Number Please', reply 'No.14, Penarth, please!', she would reply 'Hold the line please' and place the appropriate plug to connect directly or to the local exchange.

One of Julie's jobs was to stand in for the company switchboard operator mostly over lunchtime. The switchboard in the 1960's was of the plug and jack plug type probably dating from the 1930's. The letterhead is a heritage item held within the Penarth Dock Collection. [001] [20200503]

A later office copy letter from the Penarth Pontoon, Slipway & Ship Repairing Co. Ltd. dated June 1927. Telegrams should still be addressed to 'Pontoon, Penarth' but the telephones are Works Nos. 600, 601 Penarth. The company is now 'On Admiralty List'. Mr. J. J. Bryson, M.I.N.A. is the Managing Director and Mr. William J Thornton the Secretary of the Company. It's Dry Docks facilities include a Floating Pontoon inside Penarth Dock which takes vessels up to 420 ft. long. Also a Slipway outside Penarth Dock and its Barry Branch is Hodges & Co. Ltd. 'All vessels dry docking on Pontoon or Slipway and loading at any other port are free of any Harbour or Wet Dock Dues'. [001] [20200503]