Volume Ten - Pre-Victorian to the present day - even more aspects - The Shipping World Article of June 1886 . . .

The imports and exports during the same years were as follows : -

			1884.		1885.
	Exports . . . . . . . . . . . . .		2,457,637		2,773,445
	Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . .		39,075		32,309

To show the capacity of the dock and the facilities afforded for the rapid loading of coal, it may be said that last year the highest weeks' shipment amounted to 69,683 tons, the lowest to 36,583 tons, the highest shipment in any one day being 14,142 tons. The average quantity of coal shipped per week was 50,145 tons.

Ample accommodation is provided for the work of repairing and cleaning vessels. About seven years ago, the Penarth Patent Slipway and Ship Repairing Company, originated by Mr. James Edwards, superintendent of the docks, constructed a patent slipway in the Tidal Harbour. This slipway is 850 ft. in length, and can accommodate a ship of 3,000 tons. There is also a gridiron 350 ft. in length. The success of the slipway led to the starting of another company, called the Windsor Slipways, Dry Docks, and Engineering Company, on the western bank of the river Taff, which has also been very successful.

The Penarth Dock and everything connected therewith is conducted in an admirable manner. Every facility is afforded to shipper, owner, and captain for transacting their business. The dock offices are in direct communication by telephone with every tip, thus enabling a shipper or captain to learn at any moment how loading of his vessel is going on. At night the dock is illuminated by electric light. There is a Custom-house where vessels can be cleared, and crews can be shipped at the Mercantile Marine office, close to the dock. One great advantage possessed by the Penarth Dock is its proximity to the sea. There is no gateway or entrance channel to navigate ; immediately a ship leaves the dock gates she is at sea. Another advantage which will be appreciated by shipowners is, that special arrangements have been made by the Dock Company for the conveyance, from Liverpool and other large centres, of ship's stores, which can be taken on the same trucks throughout and brought direct to the side of the ship.