Philistines
From Festipedia, hosted by the FR Heritage Group
In pre-railway times, and therefore before any harbour existed at Portmadoc, slates were carried from the three main Ffestiniog quarries (Diphwys, Bowydd and Rhiwbryfdir) for two miles in panniers on the backs of ponies or mules to Congl y Wal (mid-way between Duffws and Ffestiniog village) and then on carts hired out by local farmers, through Ffestiniog and down 700 feet over rough and muddy roads to small quays on the Traeth Bach along the shores of the of the Afon Dwyryd below Maentwrog. "Philistines" was the name given to the boatmen who came from Llanfiangel y Traethau or Llandecwyn, and who transported slate from these quays to the exposed anchorage of Ynyscyngar for a third trans-shipment to sea going vessels bound for Liverpool.
