Gwennan Gorn facts for kids
The Gwennan Gorn (say "Gwen-nan Gorn") was a special ship from old Welsh stories. It was said to be designed and built by a brave sea-traveler named Madog ab Owain Gwynedd. This amazing ship was different from others because it was built without any iron. Instead, it was put together using strong nails made from stag's horns!
The Story of Gwennan Gorn
The tale of the Gwennan Gorn comes from a document written in the 1580s. A Welsh writer named Roger Morris collected this story. He wrote down what he heard from Edward ap Sion Wynn on March 13, 1582.
Madog's Unique Ship
According to the story, Madog ab Owain Gwynedd loved to explore the seas. He wanted to sail to new lands. To do this, he needed a very special ship. He built the Gwennan Gorn without any iron. This was because he believed iron would make the sea "swallow her."
Instead of iron nails, Madog used strong nails made from stag's horns. This unique way of building gave the ship its name. "Gwennan Gorn" means "the white one of horn."
Adventures at Sea
With his special ship, Madog sailed the seas freely. He traveled to many lands far across the ocean. The story says he did this "without any fear."
However, on his way back home, near Bardsey Island in Wales, the ship faced trouble. Strong currents shook the Gwennan Gorn badly. They pushed the ship far off its path. Because of this event, that part of the sea has been called Ffrydie Caswenan ever since.
A Ship of Legend
Historians have looked into these old stories. Ceridwen Lloyd-Morgan, a writer, found other tales about a ship named Gwennan. This ship was said to belong to the legendary King Arthur. It was supposedly wrecked on a dangerous sandbank near Bardsey Island. This area was also called Caswennan. This shows how the name "Gwennan" might have been part of Welsh legends for a long time.
The story of the Gwennan Gorn is a fascinating part of Welsh history and folklore. It tells of a brave explorer and a ship built in a truly unique way.
