The Madona was a brigantine of 163 tons built by David Jones of Aberaeron in 1864 (a brigantine was a two-masted vessel with the sails arranged in a particular way).

Owned by John Jones and Co., Aberaeron (Shon Go), she was commanded by his son-in-law, Captain Daniel Rees. Daniel Rees was one of ten children, and he and all his brothers commanded ships that were built at Aberaeron. When Daniel Rees died in 1868, his brother-in-law, John Jones, son of John Jones, shipsmith of Vulcan Place (Shon Go) who owned her, took over as captain. He was a bachelor and was drowned near Rosario in 1888, aged 37.

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