A NEW model of an iconic ship built in Porthmadog in the 19th century ship has been unveiled above the door of a pub in the town.

Since 1938 a model of a Porthmadog ship has graced above the doorway to the Ship Inn Porthmadog, but in the last few years there has been a notable absence.

Aware of this, local man Carwyn Jones offered to create a model of the Porthmadog ship Evelyn for the landlady Bridget Booton.

It was carved out of solid oak, the masts were made of stainless steel and the sails are plastic, she weighs about 30kg.

On Wednesday, 18 August, after a long delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Evelyn was finally unveiled by Freddie and Alfie, grandsons of the late Jackie Couture, well-known Porthmadog ship modeller.

Robert Cadwalader of Porthmadog Maritime Museum gave a short speech about the ship’s history before the unveiling.

Carwyn is from Porthmadog and for him, the Ship Inn was his local for many years and before Christmas 2019, he noticed that the ship was no longer above the door.

He spoke to Bridget about it and she asked Carwyn if he would like to build a new model of the ship.

Carwyn started work on the ship before the coronavirus pandemic and he is glad that model has been unveiled.

In January 2020, shortly after starting work on the model, Carwyn told the Cambrian News that the ship will face the harbour for two reasons. Firstly it’s for symbolism, so it looks as though it is sailing out to the open sea. Secondly, to make sure the sails don’t catch the wind too much.

The original Evelyn was drafted by Daniel Evans and launched on 17 January 1877 from the yard of Hugh Williams & Co Porthmadog and weighed approximately 369 tonnes.

She was named after Mr J.W Greaves’ daughter and the captain was Hugh Roberts.

On 4 November 1913, she left Newfoundland and three days later, in stormy seas, she was flooded and became difficult to control, several steamers were sighted and the crew wanted to leave the vessel.

The captain, however, did not want to leave. On 26 November 1913, the Glasgow steamer Invergyle rescued three of the Evelyn’s crew, who had to jump into the water to reach the steamer’s boat in heavy seas.

The Invergyle stood by during the night , but in the morning got under way, leaving the captain, the mate and a seaman on the derelict ship.

They had plenty of provisions but were without drinking water for three days and had given up hope when on 30 November the Monmouth responded to signs of distress and rescued the amidst much difficulty.

The Monmouth landed at Avonmouth, near Bristol, on 5 December 1913. No lives were lost on the Evelyn during her career.