Volume Ten - Pre-Victorian to the present day - even more aspects - Construction of the Penarth Slipway and Gridiron . . .

◊ 1879 - The New Slip-Way and Gridiron at Penarth - 'The total absence of facilities for effecting repairs to ships at Penarth Dock has long been acutely felt by owners and merchants, and has greatly militated against the prosperity of the dock. . . .

To supply this desideratum, there was formed last year a limited liability company, styled the Penarth Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing Company, with a capital of £30,000, in 600 shares of £50 each. Of this amount about £22,000 has already been expended.

The company leased from the Taff Vale Railway Company a piece of land, seven and a half acres in extent, situate on the south bank and foreshore of the Penarth Tidal Harbour, for a term of 60 years, at the very low rental of £50 per annum.

They entered into a contract with Mr. W. E. Jackson for the construction of a slip-way and gridiron, and in June 1878, the work was commenced. The gridiron, which was entirely designed by Mr. George Cooper, the manager of the company, was ready for use on the 17th of May last. . . .

The slip-way, which is a much larger undertaking, is only just completed. It was designed by Mr. John Thompson, Newcastle-on-Tyne . . . ' - Weekly Mail [067] [361] 4th October 1879.