Casgliadau Arlein

Comisiynwyd gan R. G. M. Street, rheolwr gyfarwyddwr y South American Saint Line. Ym 1948, cafodd dwy long o gynllun chwyldroadol, eu cwblhau gan gwmni Thompson o Sunderland ar gyfer y South American Saint Line, Caerdydd. Cyn y rhyfel, dechreuodd y cwmni gynnig gwasanaeth llong deithwyr rheolaidd i Dde America, gyda'r bwriad o ddefnyddio dwy long newydd - St Essylt a St Thomas - i ail-lansio'r gwasanaeth o fri a gludai ddeuddeg teithiwr yn ogystal â nwyddau. Er gwaetha'r llwyddiant cychwynnol, fodd bynnag, daeth y cwmni i ben ym 1965, a chafodd y ddwy long fawreddog hon eu datgymalu ym 1978-79.

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. (Source: Ships Monthly Feb 2001)