A NEW Quay man has told how the revelation that a 19th century schooner captain once lived in his house set him on his own voyage of discovery.

Brian Luxton, of 9 Rock Street, has diligently researched the history of the Hedessa, of New Quay, a 92-ton, two-mast schooner, built and launched by John Davies at Traeth Gwyn in 1853.

Its master, Captain Griffith Lloyd, once lived at 9 Rock Street along with his wife Eleanor and two daughters.

“It was Sue Passmore’s classic, The Streets of New Quay, which first drew my attention to the Hedessa and her book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of this sea-going place,” said Mr Luxton, who has also written a book about Old Barry.

“The Hedessa is of special interest to me as Capt Griffith Lloyd lived in my house No 9 Rock Street which provides a fine view of the bay. The sea was in the blood of this family.

“He was born at Penbryn on the coast towards Cardigan and his wife came from Llangrannog. Capt Lloyd died in 1873 aged 66 and he was buried at the parish church on 18 February.

From old newspapers in the National Newspaper Archive, Mr Luxton has been able to piece together an account of the Hedessa’s voyages from their shipping intelligence reports.

These reveal the Hedessa as a coastal trader around Britain, Ireland and the western seaboard of Europe.

Griffith Lloyd, the Hedessa’s first master (1853-1865), was succeeded by a Capt Phillips who was her master from 1865-1880.

“He was probably one of the local Phillips family, also known as Cadnaid (foxes) from their red hair, whose roots in New Quay go back to the 18th century,” said Mr Luxton.

Read the full feature in this week’s Cambrian News, available in shops and online now