A CARDIGAN author’s painstaking research into the role one of her ancestor’s played in the Chilean Civil War has finally come to fruition with the publication of her first novel.

Cardigan sea captain David Davies played a crucial role in the 1891 conflict and his remarkable story has inspired the novel ‘My Beautiful Imperial’ by his great great niece Rhiannon Lewis.

It was officially launched this month, with dates at both the Chilean Embassy in London and Cardigan Castle.

“The novel is the culmination of nearly 20 years’ research and three to four years writing,” said Rhiannon, who was originally raised on a small farm near Cardigan.

“It launched in Cardigan because this is where I am from originally. The main character is also from Cardigan and begins his incredible journey from there.”

Many readers will know nothing of the Chilean Civil War, but Cardigan skipper David Davies played a crucial role in the of the 1891 conflict.

Captain Davies was born at Ty Newydd, in the Parish of St Mary’s, in 1848 and began his career on the Ellen of Cardigan before crossing the globe on emigrant ships, such as the Royal Dane.

Davies worked his way through the ranks and gained a captain’s certificate by the age of 25, but a certificate alone was no guarantee of a ship.

Although the ships he worked on became larger, and the shipping lines more renowned, a captaincy continued to elude him and by 1890, he settled in thriving Valparaiso in Chile, employed by the South American Steamship Company as Chief Officer on the Imperial, built by Laird Bros. of Birkenhead – one of the fastest steamships in South America, which could carry 160 first-class passengers.

Then, in January 1891, dramatic events brought Davies his long-awaited captaincy, but at great risk to himself and his crew as political tensions between Chilean President, Balmaceda, and congress came to a head and civil war erupted.

The entire navy defected, leaving the president with an army of 40,000 men but no ships to transport them.

In desperation, Balmaceda commandeered the Imperial, along with its experienced crew, and made Davies captain.

The Imperial was refitted as a warship, and the entire Chilean navy prowled the Pacific, intent on sinking her.

During nine months of war, the Imperial continued to evade the enemy, transporting troops and supplies along the coast while surviving terrifying sea chases, deadly torpedo attacks and attempts at sabotage.

The Imperial earned herself the nickname the Chilean Alabama after the infamous American Civil War blockade-runner.

Although the war was lost, the Times special correspondent Maurice Hervey wrote a book about his time on board the Imperial. 'Dark Days in Chile' inspired Joseph Conrad to write his classic novel, Nostromo.

Davies eventually returned to Cardigan and died in 1914. His Tivyside obituary described how Davies had “made no little fame for himself...in the teeth of the ships of war”.

Davies is buried at the Baptist Chapel, Blaenwaun, near St Dogmaels.

“He was an amazing character – to achieve what he did in those days, he would have been a very determined, physically tough and charismatic leader,” said Rhiannon.

And her first novel has certainly been very much a family affair.

“The cover designer is my son Steffan Glynn,” she added. “He designed the first series of Minecraft books when he was still at university. He now works for a BAFTA-winning games design company.

“We've had a fantastic response to the book and copies are flying out at the moment.”

The novel has been published by Victorina Press (£12.99) and is on sale at Awen Teifi in Cardigan and on Amazon or through the publisher.