Volume Ten - Pre-Victorian to the present day - even more aspects - The Patent for the Penarth Slipway - 1881 . . .

The main cradle is then detached from the auxiliary cradle and is at liberty to be lowered down the " ways " and launched to receive another ship or vessel  the auxiliary cradle with the ship or vessel resting on it being left on the upper portion of the slipway.

When the ship or vessel on the auxiliary cradle is to be launched, the main cradle with arms swung round and resting over the side rails is hauled up under the ship or vessel and connected to the auxiliary cradle by suitable attaching gear, when the main and auxiliary cradles are simultaneously lowered down the " ways;" the greater inclination of the ways of the auxiliary cradle causes the ship or vessel to gradually approach and seat itself on the resting blocks of the main cradle. The " bilge " blocks on the auxiliary cradle are then removed, the arms of the main cradle are swung round to their proper places, and the sliding " bilge " blocks are run in, when the main cradle with the ship or vessel resting on it moves down the slipway, leaving the auxiliary cradle behind ready for receiving the next vessel.

	DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS. ◊ Sheet 1 : Figures 1 and 2 : A.D. 1881. Nov. 25. No. 5153.  Thompson & Cooper's Specification.
	DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS. ◊ Sheet 2 : Figures 3 and 4 : A.D. 1881. Nov. 25. No. 5153.  Thompson & Cooper's Specification.