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 DWYN WEN. 

Back L-R 1. Christopher Elmer, 2., 3., 4. Daniel Clarke.

Middle row 1. Isaac Rice Junior (with 3 rings on sleeve), 2., 3. John Townsend.

Front 1. Clarence R. Rice, 2., 3. Lewis Barbrook. 



Following is from Tollesbury to the year 2000, page 61.

Capt Isaac Rice was master of the steam yacht WINIFRED owned by Major Hilder. He enlisted many local men as crew ...
Cat1 Yachts and yachting-->Sail-->Larger Cat2 People-->Fishermen and Seamen Cat3 Tollesbury-->Yachting

DWYN WEN.
Back L-R 1. Christopher Elmer, 2., 3., 4. Daniel Clarke.
Middle row 1. Isaac Rice Junior (with 3 rings on sleeve), 2., 3. John Townsend.
Front 1. Clarence R. Rice, 2., 3. Lewis Barbrook.

Following is from Tollesbury to the year 2000, page 61.
Capt Isaac Rice was master of the steam yacht WINIFRED owned by Major Hilder. He enlisted many local men as crew including his chief engineer Arthur Allen. After World War 1 Capt Rice was to command the steam yacht BANTAM. In 1921 he [ but see note further down ] undertook to take a gaff-rigged staysail schooner, the DWYN WEN to Hong Kong for her new owner. The voyage was to tax his abilities to the full and became something of an adventure. He gathered his mainly Tollesbury crew with Jack Townsend as mate and Clarence Rice as carpenter. Another crew member, John Reuben Frost, kept a diary. From this we know that they were beset by engine problems and expected to rely heavily on sail power, estimating six months for the duration of the passage.

Guests joined the ship, and she set off, encountering head-winds and rough conditions most of the way down to the Mediterranean. South of Sicily, they signed an Italian vessel which signalled - "short of provisions - starving!" Capt Rice gave them biscuits and meat freely. On they sailed suffering intense heat, shortage of wind, and food poisoning among the crew until, eventually, they got to Makalla (southern Yemen) for medical aid. The Sultan personally sent them as much assistance as was available including an invitation to his palace for exotic food and dancing girls. Setting off again, DWYN WEN was driven on in monsoon conditions which included hurricane force winds. She arrived at Hong Kong after 6 months and 22 days with her sails in ribbons.

[ Note: It was Isaac Rice junior who took the DWYN WEN to Hong Kong, and this is confirmed by Clarence Rice's daughter Enid. ]

In 1926 Capt Rice snr commanded the steam yacht MEDEA. Tragically, he was lost when swept off the bridge in heavy seas off Sardinia.

DWYN WEN Official No. 120806 built 1906 Philip & Son, Dartmouth. [LRY 1914].
In 1921 she was owned by Raphael Emanual "Billy" Belilios. [Doug Peterson].
She was in the US Navy during WW2, and survived till January 2014 when she was sunk at Moyotte Harbor Comoros Islands. [ http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/46/46058.htm ]


Date: c1921      

Photo: Derek Shakespeare
Image ID DWS_033
Category 3 Tollesbury-->Yachting


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This image is part of the Mersea Museum Collection.