The Gwynedd "Cape Horners"
Llongau Penrhyn yr Horn o Gwynedd 

Roaring forties
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North Wales is famous for providing seafarers for the British Merchant Navy. In the days of sail many of the large, steel and iron ships were owned by families and, more often, by groups of shareholders from the area. Whole crews would come from the same village and often the master would be part owner. Shopkeepers, quarrymen, teachers and others would have a "flutter" and invest their savings in these "one ship limited companies". Often the dividends paid out would be good but sometimes all would be lost when the ship was wrecked or "posted missing" at Lloyds. The fleets were often managed, on behalf of the shareholders, by an ex Master or shipping clerk who would have shares themselves, in each of the vessels.


Below are links to other "pages" that outline the history of these companies, ships and the men who sailed in them.

Y mae Gogledd Cymru yn enwog am ddarparu morwyr î'r Llynges Marchnasol Brydain. Yn y dyddiau llongau hwyliau  'roedd llongau mawr, dur ag haearn yn perthyn î teuluoedd, ac, yn rhan mwyaf, gan grwpiau gyfrandalwyr ô'r ardal. Yn aml oedd yr holl criw yn dôd ô'r un pentref neu ddrêf a llawer trô oedd y Capten yn rhannol perchenog. Oedd siopwyr, chwarelwyr ag athrawon yn fuddsoddiadu mewn y cwmnïaid yma. Weithiau 'roedd dychweliant ô'r arian ond weithiau collwyd y gyfangwbl pan ddrylliodd y llong neu cael ei "Postio ar goll" yn Lloyds. Rheolwyd y llyngesau gan rhyw cyn Capten neu clerigwr llongau a oedd gan rhannau yn y llongau eu hynnan.

Oddi tan y mae ddolenau i dudalenau eraill sydd yn cynnwys hanes y cwmniaiad, y llongau a'r forwyr.

Islamount

Some writers have stressed the "penny pinching" attitude and poor condition of the Welsh ships but this is unfair. These were the last days of sail and competition with steam was fierce. True, some second hand vessels were purchased but these were well maintained. Some fine new ships were ordered and built to the highest standard. Regardless, it was a terrible, hard life on these ships

Y mae rhei ysgrifenwyr yn pwysleisio'r chynnildeb a chyflwr sâl y llongau Cymreig ond anhegwch ydi hwn. Dyddiau dwythaf  y llongau hwyliau oedd hein a 'roedd cystadleuaeth gyda'r llongau ager yn ffyrnig. Mae'n wîr cafodd rhei llongau ail-law eu brynnu ond 'roedd y cynhaliaeth yn ddâ. Adeiladwyd llawer llongau newydd  î'r safon  uchaf. Beth bynnag, bywyd caled ac dychrynllyd oedd o, yn weithio ar y llongau hwylio yma.
Barque "Islamount" managed by R.Thomas & Co of Criccieth
Preserved in Glasgow as the "Glenlee"

Undoubtedly the best authority on these ships was the late Aled Eames. Much of the following information is from his works. ( He got his basic information from "Hen Llongau Sir Caernarfon" which I have not read). Allan Villiers and Basil Lubbock's books also contain many references as do most books about the last days of sail. The crew lists and log books are scattered but available.


CLICK on a LINK/ Cliciwch ar Ddolen

March 2008 - Complete new section with my illustrated stories
Mawrth 2008 - Adran newydd sbon gyda fy storiau ddarluniadol

My Reading List for North Wales Maritime History/
Fy Rhestr Ddarllen am Hanes Arforol Gogledd Cymru

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