Penarth Dock, South Wales - the heritage and legacy

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Volume Thirteen - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - even more aspects - Slavery - echoes of the past . . . .

The Rev. John Ashley, D.D. - Pioneer Chaplain in the Bristol Channel.

I covered the story of the 'Missions to Seamen at Penarth' and of the first floating church in the Bristol Channel capable of accommodating, it was claimed, up to 130 persons (mostly mariners!) at a religious service ; a fine sailing vessel named 'Eirene,' ; and the work and dedication of the Rev. John Ashley. John Ashley wrote a pamphlet entitled 'Church of the Period' in which he states that he was ordained in February 1824.

Based initially at Bristol, the Mission eventually berthed on the quays of Penarth Dock and then expanded around the world! Penarth Dock is only approx. 15 nautical miles (17.3 statue miles) from Bristol as the seagull flies! The second 'Eirene,' a steamer, was built at the Penarth Shipbuilding & Ship Repairing Company, the predecessor of the company where I served my apprenticeship to engineering and where I met my lovely wife Julie!

The Rev. John Ashley, D.D. [December 1800-March 1886] - Pioneer Chaplain in the Bristol Channel. [1352]

Kindly Note : I have no intention of adding the Rev. John Ashley to any list of unmerciful slave owners or to undermine the wonderful work he undertook throughout his life ministering to those mariners whom had no access to church whilst at sea and/or those who had never heard of the ten commandments. I base my findings and comment, therefore, on previous research and evidence but please remember that the morality and social standards of the era are so very distant and sometimes incomprehensible in comparison to our 21st century lives.

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