Casgliadau Arlein

Port broadside view of Ketch IRENE at Bute West Dock, Cardiff, about 1936.

The 98 gross ton wooden ketch lrene was built at Bridgwater in 1907 and was often employed in the carriage of bricks and earthenware products from the Somerset port. She continued to trade until 1960. Extensively re-built in the 1980s, her home port is now Bristol, from which she regularly undertakes charter work. (Source: Shipping at Cardiff: Photographs from the Hansen Collection 1920-1975 by David Jenkins, 1993).

Ketch IRENE (98 tons when launched). Built at Bridgewater in 1907 by F.J. Carver & Son. Irene is the last of the West Country trading ketches still under sail. She served as part of the British merchant fleet through two world wars and a Great Recession. Retiring from her trading service in 1960, she changed hands a few times before being converted to a house boat. She was bought by Dr. Leslie Moorish in 1965 and restored over the next 20 years while he and his family lived on board. Once she had been restored to her former glory she was used for many commercials, film and fashion shoots. Irene played the part of "The Flying Dutchman" in the epic film biography of the composer Richard Wagner. Later, IRENE made the Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean where she was available for charter. Almost destroyed by fire in 2004, Dr Moorish has once again undertaken her restoration (2006).