By: MATTHEWS, Donald

Acq. Number: 198

Dimensions: 99.0 x 73.7 cm

Artwork_Medium: Oil

Purchased: 1958

Buyer: JONES, Dr Iorwerth

Location: Friends of Newport Ship

Town: Newport

Content: An image of this painting together with the text below may be found at the Friends of Newport Ship blog entry here The painting by Donald Matthews depicts the SS Brodland which ran aground on Aberavon beach in 1913. Whilst being towed out of Port Talbot in heavy seas the tow rope parted and she was driven ashore. She had been on her way to Punta Arenas in Chile with a cargo of Welsh steam coal. All the crew were rescued by breeches buoy, and the anchor is still on display outside the Aberavon Lifeboat Station. The painting was purchased for 20 guineas by the Contemporary Art Society of Wales (CASW) in 1957 from an exhibition of the South Wales Group. It was gifted by CASW to BP Llandarcy, unfortunately when that closed the painting found its way into an auction for a private sale so, rather like the Newport Medieval Ship, it had to be rescued and was bought back by CASW. Originally loaned to the Friends of Newport Ship by the Contemporary Art Society of Wales in May 2016, now gifted.