Sea captain stakes almost everything to save schooner

Ship’s captain 45 year old William P. Davis of Llanmaes, Glamorgan is now considering giving up his job and risking everything to save his love from the graveyard. She is the three-masted schooner the Kathleen and May back again in Appledore where for years she was one of the most picturesque visitors on the waterfront. She has the distinction of being the last Welsh-built trading vessel afloat and the last three-masted wooden trading schooner.

She was launched as the Lizzie May at Connah’s Quay in 1900 and for years sailed from Appledore under the ownership and command of Capt. Tommy Jewell. Capt. Jewell sold her six years ago because of lack of coasting cargoes, and she was apparently destined to become a luxury yacht for South Seas cruising. However Capt. Davis saw her in Southampton last year and made an offer which to his surprise was accepted. Last July Capt. Davis moved the Kathleen and May to Barry and last week with the help of friends he brought the vessel into Appledore.

He would like to preserve her for coasting purposes but to equip the vessel with sails will cost about £1,000, at least eight being needed.

Gazette article 23 June 1967