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All Hands 2020-1 (UK Spring) P a g e 17

6 The Story of the Benwyvis Picture – Ian Keyl (Non-member)
Ian Keyl, who is not a WA member, has kindly provided the story behind the painting below, painted for him by
marine artist Robert Lloyd, which appeared in the previous edition of All Hands, AH2019-3. Interestingly Ian’s
great-grandfather Friedrich Wilhelm Keyl, was a Royal Artist to Queen Victoria and one of her favourite animal
artists. Originally from Frankfurt, he was the only pupil of Sir Edward Landseer and did the sketches of real lions
from Abyssinia for the famous sculpted lions in Trafalgar Square. (Chris Clarke).

Benwyvis in storm conditions having just passed Cape Wrath © 2019 Robert G. Lloyd

The painting above was commissioned for me by a very good and dear friend with whom I worked ashore in the
ACT group. He was extremely interested in the sea and ships and although he never went to sea himself he liked
to talk about life at sea. Then one day in November 2019 he emailed me to say he had asked Robert Lloyd to do a
painting for me and it should be ready for Christmas. Robert liaised with me as to which ship, where, what angle
of approach, sea conditions etc and I told him this story.

I can honestly say he has captured the situation extremely well. Many people who have seen the full picture have
said you can smell the sea and feel the spray on your face. Yes there is a puff of smoke coming from the funnel
and no black balls from the mast as he said I will do it as she is just getting under way. I would like to thank my
sponsor Barry Rubery for this beautiful painting with which I am delighted, by such a wonderful artist. I hope you
all enjoy the picture as much as I do and the background story.

I first came across it whilst on leave in early June 1966 and staying with my relations on Teesside. My uncle was
the surveyor of HM customs for the NE of England and was based in Middlesbrough. We were both at his office
at the town dock and in the dock was the Bennevis so as it was nearing lunch time we ventured across to see the
Master and sample the delights of lunch .
On board was Captain Ian Liston, Marine Superintendent, whom my uncle knew well. I was cordially invited into
the Master’s cabin and Captain Liston recognised me. During lunch in the saloon Captain Liston mentioned that
a new vessel was being launched in Glasgow in a week’s time. My uncle immediately answered by saying that
was my birthday, to which Captain Liston replied that if I could get there I could come and see it launched.
th
This offer could not be refused and I knew my uncle and aunt would help with the train fare so on the 19 June I
arrived at Connell's yard at Scotstoun in Glasgow. It was like being in a goldfish bowl looking up at such a gigantic
structure resting on the slipway in such a way that you would think it might easily fall over. The bulbous bow
looked like an unsheathed dagger, looking so sharp in the grey hull colours with green boot topping and bright red
anti-fouling. On being launched she slipped into the Clyde like a swan, with drag chains causing a huge dust cloud
on our side of the slipway. Tugs came to her aid, made her fast and towed her to the fitting-out berth.