Casgliadau Arlein

Port Broadside view of two masted topsail Schooner FRANCOISE, c.1936.

Amongst the last sailing vessels to trade regularly to Cardiff were the beautiful Breton schooners that imported pit wood and vegetables from Brittany and the Bay of Biscay. It was also on these vessels that the 'Shoni Winiwns' - the Breton onion sellers - travelled to Wales. The schooners returned to Brittany with cargoes of coal, as in this view of the 102 gross ton François under tow, outward bound, c. 1936. She is setting her mainsail, whilst on her foremast can be seen the roller-reefing square topsail so typical of these Breton schooners.

Source: Shipping at Cardiff: Photographs from the Hansen Collection 1920-1975 by David Jenkins, 1993.