The 'John Pierce' was a schooner of 97 tons built at Aberaeron in 1860 by Evan Jones. She was 75 feet long, had a breadth of 21 feet and was 10 feet deep.

She was named after the son of John Nathanile Evans, of Penygarreg, a gentleman farmer, whose son John Pierce was baptised in 1859.
In 1883 she was owned by John Hughes of Borth and Captain David Jones (1827-1906) of Pentwr, for whom she was built, commanded her.

Source: 'Aberayron 1971 Exhibition of Paintings of Sailing Ships and Ships Equipment by Gwilym M. Jones' (Exhibition Catalogue)