Bronze Age Gold from Wales

Starboard view of the M.V. ST THOMAS at sea, with the steam tug ST ESSYLT alongside. Signed bottom right. Undated. Framed.

Commissioned by R.G.M. Street, managing director of the South American Saint Line.

In 1948, two ships of quite revolutionary design were completed by Thompson's of Sunderland for the South American Saint Line of Cardiff. Before the war, the company had initiated a regular liner service to South America and two new ships - the St Essylt and the St Thomas - were envisaged as a prestigious means of re-launching the service, carrying twelve passengers as well as cargo. Despite its initial success, however, the company had ceased trading by 1965, and both these fine ships were broken-up in 1978-79.

M.V. ST ESSYLT (6855 gt). Built 1948 by J.L. Thompson & Sons, Sunderland for the South American Saint Line. She had first class accomodation for twelve passengers. 1965 – Sold to China Navigation Co. (John Swire & Sons Ltd), Singapore, and renamed YUNNAN. 1971 – Sold to New Asia Steamship Co., Panama, and renamed LUCKY TWO. She was broken up at Kaoshiung in 1979.