Gwendolin

[john sefton]

During the opening decade of this century, the strain on the organisation of local communications within the Falklands became so severe, that they were "stretched to the limit", a situation partly eased by the 82 ton schooner GWENDOLIN, which arrived at Port Stanley on November 19th 1906, having sailed there from Portsmouth following her having been purchased by the Falkland Island Company.
Between her arrival and 1911, the GWENDOLIN was employed carrying the post between the capital, Stanley, and the various settlements, both in the West and the East set of islands, includ-ing two of "rare" calls at New Island (just about the most westerly of all the islands that make up the Falklands) in July and October 1910. Postal historians will be aware of the rarity of New Island postmarks and may also be interested to note that the work of the GWENDOLIN was supplemented by the RICHARD WILLIAMS: though this ship confined herself with journeys to Pebble Island. The Post Office on New Island had been opened in July 1909, with Arthur Kirwan as postmaster. This office was needed to service the mail of the workers at the whaling factory on the island, which however closed down in 1916, their machinery being moved over to South Georgia.
After a two year rest (?), the GWENDOLIN was again employed on the inter-islands service while the Falkland Islands Company awaited the arrival of the SS FALKLAND.
As the stamp sporting the GWENDOLIN was issued to commemorate the colony joining the U.P.U., it may be of interest to learn that when they so did, in 1879, they were obliged to conform to the Union's rules, which brought about a reduction in the overseas postage, single rate, of 2d, to 4d, causing a 4d stamp to be issued that year.
The GWENDOLIN was given an auxiliary engine in 1921 and from then on was used as a lighter.
Log Book March 1983
Falkland Islands SG370 (I do not have the stamp)

[aukepalmhof]

She was built as a wooden cargo vessel in 1870 by Camper & Nicholson, Gosport, U.K.
Owner unknown.
Launched under the name GWENDOLIN.
Tonnage 109 gross, 100 net, 77 dwt. Dim. 100.1 x 20.8 x 12.3ft. (30.51 x 6.34 x 3.75m.)
Schooner rigged.

19 November 1906 arrived Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, after a passage from Portsmouth U.K.
1921 An auxiliary diesel engine fitted in, manufactured by Thorncroft, London. Not a hp. given, thereafter used as a lighter.

1930 Was she owned by Falkland Island Co. Ltd, when they got the ownership of the vessel I could not find, but in 1945 they were still the owners.

Lloyds Register of 1955/56 did not mention her more.

Fate unknown.

Source: Lloyds Registers 1930/31, 1945/46 and 1955/56. Log Book.

[D. v. Nieuwenhuijzen]

Gwendolin