Transportation

1955 Ford Country Squire

Americans have always been a people on the move—on rails, roads, and waterways (for travel through the air, visit the National Air and Space Museum). In the transportation collections, railroad objects range from tools, tracks, and many train models to the massive 1401, a 280-ton locomotive built in 1926. Road vehicles include coaches, buggies, wagons, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and automobiles—from the days before the Model T to modern race cars. The accessories of travel are part of the collections, too, from streetlights, gas pumps, and traffic signals to goggles and overcoats.

In the maritime collections, more than 7,000 design plans and scores of ship models show the evolution of sailing ships and other vessels. Other items range from scrimshaw, photographs, and marine paintings to life jackets from the Titanic.

Topic: Cigna Maritime Collection

Painting of the Champlain

Champlain was built in 1834 in New York by an unknown builder and measured 131.10 ft. long and 624.46 tons. The ship was owned by W. Platt, H.F. Hollingshead and others of Philadelphia. W.
Description
Champlain was built in 1834 in New York by an unknown builder and measured 131.10 ft. long and 624.46 tons. The ship was owned by W. Platt, H.F. Hollingshead and others of Philadelphia. W. Platt was the father of the 8th president of the Insurance Company of North America, Charles Platt, and great uncle of the 11th president, John Osgood Platt. The ship was regularly involved in the tea trade between Philadelphia and China, at one point captioned by Caption A.A. Ritchie. The painting is a windward view of the Champlain where the ship is tipped away from the viewer, which is unusual. The ship is displayed in Liverpool harbor, with a lighthouse and fortress (Perch Rock Fort) to the right of the ship. Two pillars in the background are Bootle landmarks, used for navigation. The painting was hung in a specially designed molding in the office of the President of the Insurance Company of North America from 1925 when the company was founded until 1991.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1836
maker
Walters, Samuel
ID Number
2005.0279.020
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.020

Painting, Bellona and Minerva

The Bellona was built in Westmorland, New Brunswick by William Venning in 1826. It measured 106 feet long and 402 tons. The Minerva was built in Truro, Nova Scotia by William Walker; in 1826. It measured 101 feet long and 308 tons.
Description
The Bellona was built in Westmorland, New Brunswick by William Venning in 1826. It measured 106 feet long and 402 tons. The Minerva was built in Truro, Nova Scotia by William Walker; in 1826. It measured 101 feet long and 308 tons. Both ships were owned in part by James Battersby & Co. and Richard Battersby of Belfast. In the painting the Bellona is shown with a full press of sail with the lower fore-studding sail only just being sent down. Minerva is turned into the wind under reduced sail, about to anchor. Minerva is identifiable by its name at the stern. Other small ships can be seen in the painting.
Artist Miles Walters was born in 1774 and died in 1849. He was a shipwright, and later a seaman, after leaving the sea Miles moved to London. He later moved to Liverpool with third son Samuel Walters (1811-1882), where he was listed in the directories as an artist. He worked on several pieces with his son Samuel who studied at the Liverpool Mechanics School of Arts. Samuel became one of the most popular marine painters of his time.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1832
maker
Walters, Samuel
Walters, Miles
ID Number
2005.0279.031
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.031

Painting, Wooden Barque William Ritson

The William Ritson was built at Maryport, Cumberland, England in 1864 by Ritson, a merchant family in Whitehaven. It measured 164 feet in length and 680 tons. The ship was owned by F. Johnston and Company and was registered at Mayport until 1884.
Description
The William Ritson was built at Maryport, Cumberland, England in 1864 by Ritson, a merchant family in Whitehaven. It measured 164 feet in length and 680 tons. The ship was owned by F. Johnston and Company and was registered at Mayport until 1884. Ownership passed to Kayton and Simpson until 1890, when the ship was sold to Argentinean owners. Shortly after that, in 1891 it was sold again and renamed Hiram. It was broken up in 1905. The painting depicts the William Ritson under full sail, heading into a harbor. The port side of the ship is shown with the bow tilted upward. The ship is calling for a pilot. Also pictured in the background are Skerries lighthouse and Anglesey. The painting has been variously attributed to either J. Scott (1840-1872) or Samuel Walters (1811-1882). See CIGNA catalogue entry for details.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1867
maker
Scott, John
ID Number
2005.0279.044
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.044

Painting, Off for the Wreck

The painting shows a small rowing craft with seven men heading toward a wrecked sailing vessel in stormy seas. In the distance, buildings can be seen on the shore off to the right. The background may be near New York.
Description
The painting shows a small rowing craft with seven men heading toward a wrecked sailing vessel in stormy seas. In the distance, buildings can be seen on the shore off to the right. The background may be near New York. Unlike more formal ship portraits, this painting does not depict a particular ship.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1882
maker
Briscoe, Franklin D.
ID Number
2005.0279.018
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.018

Painting, Indiana

The Indiana was built in 1872 by Wm. Cramp & Sons in Philadelphia, PA. The ship measured 375 feet in length, 43 feet 8 inches in beam, and 3,126 tons. Indiana was one of the first four iron trans-Atlantic ships built in the United States.
Description
The Indiana was built in 1872 by Wm. Cramp & Sons in Philadelphia, PA. The ship measured 375 feet in length, 43 feet 8 inches in beam, and 3,126 tons. Indiana was one of the first four iron trans-Atlantic ships built in the United States. Indiana's sister ships include Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. The ship was owned by the American Line and was in service between Europe and America.
The Indiana was insured by INA. The painting shows a starboard view of the steamship sailing in rough water. There is a keystone painted on its stack representing the Pennsylvania Railroad, which partly owned the American Line. The ship is driven by both sail and steam, with the sails helping to keep the ship steady. The CIGNA collection has a painting of Indiana's sister ship Pennsylvania.
Samuel Walters (1811-1882) was a British marine painter. The painting style is typical of his later seascapes. It is painted with a broad brushstroke and has a wet appearance. Also, it is the typical angle of his ships at this time.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875
maker
Walters, Samuel
ID Number
2005.0279.013
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.013

Painting, Shipwreck

This large oil of a shipwreck is by Anglo-American artist Edward Moran (1829-1901), best known for his marine paintings. Born in England, he and his three brothers were trained in weaving by their father; all four later became artists.
Description
This large oil of a shipwreck is by Anglo-American artist Edward Moran (1829-1901), best known for his marine paintings. Born in England, he and his three brothers were trained in weaving by their father; all four later became artists. The family emigrated to Maryland in 1844, and Moran is listed as an artist in the 1857 New York city directory. In 1862 he returned to England and Europe, where he studied for a decade. Throughout his life he continued to travel extensively and paint.
This particular painting depicts a large, unnamed sailing ship in her death throes. The vessel has been dismasted-almost certainly by the storm filling the background and whipping up the sea in the foreground. The ship is down by the stern and listing or leaning to the starboard side, shipping water. Two upper masts are visible in the water in the foreground, with men clinging to them for life support. Many common sailors did not know how to swim, so they had to hold onto something floating if they had any hope of rescue. Two life boats are pulling for the men trapped on the rigging, fishing desperate sailors out of the water as they can. It is not clear whether the small boats are from the sinking ship or a rescue vessel.
While the vessel's name is unknown, the presence of an open gunport in the port bow indicates a warship. Merchant vessels often had painted gunports along their hulls to look more dangerous from a distance, but the water running out of the corner of this one indicates the real thing. But lacking any means of identification, the painting is probably best viewed as an allegory for the power of nature over man.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1858
maker
Moran, Edward
ID Number
2005.0279.002
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.002

Painting, A Clipper Ship Nearing Port

The painting shows an unidentified British merchant vessel of the period 1850-1860.
Description
The painting shows an unidentified British merchant vessel of the period 1850-1860. It is in the process of lowering its jib sails or sails at the bow (front) of the vessel, clewing up its mainsail and reefing its topgallants and royals or shortening its sails for slowing down, as illustrated by the men out on the yards. The merchant vessel is requesting a pilot, and Pilot Boat #21 is approaching the ship just off its port bow.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0279.053
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.053

Painting, USS Pennsylvania

USS Pennsylvania was built in 1872 by Wm. Cramp & Sons in Philadelphia, PA. The ship measured 375 feet in length, 43 feet 8 inches in beam, and 3,104 tons. Pennsylvania was one of the first four iron transatlantic liners built in the United States.
Description
USS Pennsylvania was built in 1872 by Wm. Cramp & Sons in Philadelphia, PA. The ship measured 375 feet in length, 43 feet 8 inches in beam, and 3,104 tons. Pennsylvania was one of the first four iron transatlantic liners built in the United States. Sister ships were Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. The Pennsylvania was sold in 1884 to the International Navigation company. Later, in 1898 the ship was sold to the Alaska Steamship Company. The Pennsylvania made its first Atlantic crossing in May 1873. While returning from Europe in 1874, Pennsylvania encountered a severe gale which swept the captain, first and second officers, and two seamen from the bridge of the ship. They were drowned, leaving no one to command the ship. One of the passengers, C. L. Brady, formerly the third officer on the White Star liner Atlantic, took over and brought the ship in.
The painting shows a portside profile of the steamer in vigorous seas. To the distant left, a small sailing craft is approaching. The plate on the original frame reads "American Line Ship S/S Pennsylvania, Organized by the Penna. R.R. 1871, First Crossing to England, 1873, Built by Wm. Cramp & Sons." The CIGNA collection contains a painting of Pennsylvania's sister ship Indiana.
The painter, James Hamilton (1819-1878), was born in Ireland and came to Philadelphia with his family at age 15. He probably painted this picture sometime between the time the ship was built in 1872 and 1875, when he sold most of his possessions in order to take a trip around the world. In 1878, he died while in San Francisco, before his journey was complete.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1872
maker
Hamilton, James
ID Number
2005.0279.012
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.012

Painting, Ocean Rover

The Ocean Rover was built in 1854 by Tobey & Littlefield in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It measured 162 feet in length, 43 feet in beam, 23 feet in depth of hold, and 777 tons. Under the command of Captain McLauren F. Pickering, it participated in the trans-Atlantic cotton trade.
Description
The Ocean Rover was built in 1854 by Tobey & Littlefield in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It measured 162 feet in length, 43 feet in beam, 23 feet in depth of hold, and 777 tons. Under the command of Captain McLauren F. Pickering, it participated in the trans-Atlantic cotton trade. In 1863 it was sold to owners in Salem, Massachusetts. Later, around 1868, it was sold to a Captain Carlton. On July 18, 1870 it struck a reef in the River Jeganna, Pernambucco, Brazil.
The painting shows the Ocean Rover entering an unidentified English port. There is a storm, and the crew has been ordered aloft to reef the sails so the captain could gain better control of the ship. There is some floating wreckage to the left. In the background towards the left, there is a wooded coast with a church and other buildings.
W. Webb was a British marine painter active from 1860-1895. According to the British marine painting authority A.S. Davidson, W. Webb commonly used Dover as the background in his paintings, although the background of this painting is different than the one usually used. Webb portrayed English sailing vessels exclusively. There is a suspicion that Webb may have been a pseudonym used by Spencer. The water in the painting is similar to Spencer's style.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1868
maker
Webb, W.
ID Number
2005.0279.064
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.064

Painting of a Clipper Ship and Barque

The painting shows two vessels in rough water, possibly off Cape Horn. At an earlier time, it was thought that this was a painting of the clipper Sea Witch, but this is most likely not the case.Currently not on view
Description
The painting shows two vessels in rough water, possibly off Cape Horn. At an earlier time, it was thought that this was a painting of the clipper Sea Witch, but this is most likely not the case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
unknown
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0279.011
catalog number
2005.0279.011
accession number
2005.0279

Painting of the Merchant Ship Stephen Girard

The sailing ship Stephen Girard was part of the trade from Philadelphia to Canton in 1833. Though named after the wealthy merchant and ship owner Stephen Girard (1750-1831), the ship was never owned by him.
Description
The sailing ship Stephen Girard was part of the trade from Philadelphia to Canton in 1833. Though named after the wealthy merchant and ship owner Stephen Girard (1750-1831), the ship was never owned by him. Girard was a French-born sailor and shipping merchant who settled in Philadelphia almost by accident when the British blockade of the port of New York during the Revolutionary War forced him to sail down the Delaware River instead of into New York harbor as originally planned. He became one of the city's most prominent citizens. As an extremely successful merchant and business person, he amassed the largest fortune of anyone in America up to that time. Girard made several important loans to the federal government to keep the fledgling nation from financial ruin. Most of the ships Girard owned were named after his favorite French authors, like Rousseau, Voltaire, and Montesquieu.
The painting by Sunqua shows a portside view of the ship with a black hull. Mountains can be seen in the background. The water is greenish-blue. The crenellations of a fortress wall can be seen to the right. The Stephen Girard was insured by the Insurance Company of North America (INA), the predescessor of CIGNA, which donated the painting to the Smithsonian.
Sunqua was a 19th century Chinese painter. He was one of the better-known Chinese artisans, although paintings by him are rare. He is known for painting Western ships in Chinese ports.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
maker
Sunqua
ID Number
2005.0279.061
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.061

Painting of a Merchant Vessel

The painting shows a port side view of an unidentified three-masted merchant ship. In the distance, two other ships can be seen. It is probably a cargo/passenger vessel of the period 1860-1870, sailing between Great Britain and Australia.Currently not on view
Description
The painting shows a port side view of an unidentified three-masted merchant ship. In the distance, two other ships can be seen. It is probably a cargo/passenger vessel of the period 1860-1870, sailing between Great Britain and Australia.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860-1870
maker
Hall, Thomas P.
ID Number
2005.0279.019
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.019

Painting, Packet ship Berlin

This oil by an unknown artist portrays the packet ship Berlin, built by C.V. Minot at Phippsburg, Maine in 1850. Packet ships were named after the packets of mail they transported. They ran on regular schedules, which helped plan commercial transactions.
Description
This oil by an unknown artist portrays the packet ship Berlin, built by C.V. Minot at Phippsburg, Maine in 1850. Packet ships were named after the packets of mail they transported. They ran on regular schedules, which helped plan commercial transactions. The three-masted square-rigged vessel is sailing into an unidentified harbor against a rocky coastline, with a lighthouse and steamship in the left background.
Berlin measured 222 ft. 5 in. in length by 40 ft. in beam and 1634 tons. Berlin was sold to the Alaska Portland Packers Association at an unknown date and was registered out of Portland, Oregon. This company was most active in the early 20th century and operated a salmon fishery out of several small towns on the Alaskan coast. Berlin's final fate is unknown.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1850
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0279.007
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.007

Painting Bombarick Rock

Psyche was a brig of war belonging to the British East India Company's private navy. It carried 32 guns and was commanded by Captain Edgecombe.
Description
Psyche was a brig of war belonging to the British East India Company's private navy. It carried 32 guns and was commanded by Captain Edgecombe. Piracy was a constant danger, so besides carrying marine insurance, some bigger companies employed their own private navies to help ward off attack. The picture shows the East India Company's brig of war Psyche attacking and chasing Arab pirates around Bombarick rock in the Persian Gulf on September 13, 1816.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1840
maker
Hornbrook, Thomas L.
ID Number
2005.0279.056
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.056

Painting of the Clipper Ship Dreadnaught

Dreadnought was built in 1853 by Currier and Townsend in Newburyport, MA. The ship measured 212 feet in length, 41 feet 6 inches in beam, 26 feet 6 inches in depth of hold, and 1,414 tons. It sailed for the Red Cross Line of New York.
Description
Dreadnought was built in 1853 by Currier and Townsend in Newburyport, MA. The ship measured 212 feet in length, 41 feet 6 inches in beam, 26 feet 6 inches in depth of hold, and 1,414 tons. It sailed for the Red Cross Line of New York. The ship was originally intended for the "Racehorse Line" of California Clippers. It made 31 roundtrips between New York and Liverpool between 1853 and 1864. Under the command of Captain Cushing, it sailed between New York and San Francisco in 1864. On July 4, 1869 she drifted ashore and wrecked on Cape Penas, off Tierra del Fuego.
The painting shows the clipper ship with sails unfurled. Two other sailing vessels can be seen before and behind the ship. It is suspected that the painting is a fake. The signature dates the painting 1835 even thought the ship was not built until 1853. In addition, the paint was analyzed and found to be from the 20th century.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
Conway, C.W.G.
ID Number
2005.0279.017
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.017

Print, Steamship General Meade of Boston

Built by Pearse & Lockwood of Stockton-on-Tees, England, in August 1861, the blockade runner Bermuda (to be renamed General Meade) was chartered to Fraser, Trenholme & Co.
Description
Built by Pearse & Lockwood of Stockton-on-Tees, England, in August 1861, the blockade runner Bermuda (to be renamed General Meade) was chartered to Fraser, Trenholme & Co. The iron-hulled ship measured 211 feet long, 29 feet 7 inches wide, 21 feet 2 inches deep, and had a hold capacity of 893 tons. It had two engines making 135 hp and could reach speeds up to 10 knots with the help of its screw propeller. The Bermuda slipped safely thru the Northern blockade into Savannah, Georgia on September 18, 1861. During this trip it was bought by Henkel & Trenholme of Charleston, South Carolina. In February 1862 the Bermuda left Liverpool for the second time. On April 27, 1862 it was captured by U.S.S. Mercedita off the Bahamas. Sent to Philadelphia under a prize crew, the Bermuda was bought by the U.S. Navy Department for $120,000 in October 1862. Commissioned as U.S.S. Bermuda, it was given a three-gun battery and sent on blockade duty off Galveston, Texas. On August 14, 1863 it captured the British schooner Carmita, followed the next day by the British schooner Artist. On October 2, 1863 the schooner Florrie was seized, and on November 14, 1863 it recaptured a small American schooner off the Florida coast. At the end of the war in September 1865, the Bermuda was sold to Samuel C. Cook for $61,000. William F. Weld & Co. of Boston purchased it in 1868, renamed it General Meade and ran it between Boston, New York, Wilmington, North Carolina and Charleston, South Carolina under Capt. A.W. Sampson. The ship also occasionally ran to New Orleans and sometimes as far as Borneo. After the 1874 dissolution of the Weld firm, the General Meade was bought by F. Baker, one of the former partners. He sold it in 1878 to the Canadian Quebec & Gulf Ports SS Co. Renamed Bahamas, the steamer sailed out of Quebec in the summer, while during the winter it sailed from New York to the West Indies.
On February 4, 1882, the Bahamas left San Juan with a full hold. At midnight on February 9 it was struck by a terrific hurricane. At 3:00 AM it was thrown on its beam ends; water poured into the engine room and extinguished the fires. The life-boats were lowered. The captain's boat with 20 people capsized, and all were lost. The other boat held 13 (11 crew and 2 passengers); three crew refused to leave the ship, which went down a few hours later. At 12:30 PM February 10, 1822 the surviving life-boat was sighted by the ship Glenmorag, and the survivors were brought to New York on February 15, 1882.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
Between 1848 and 1891
maker
William Endicott and Company
ID Number
2005.0279.097
catalog number
2005.0279.097
accession number
2005.0279

Painting of the Packet Ship Star of the East

The Star of the East was built in St. John, New Brunswick by W. & R. Wright. It measured 202 feet long and 1,219 tons. It traded between England, Australia, India and China. It took only 76 days to make its first trip from Liverpool to Melbourne.
Description
The Star of the East was built in St. John, New Brunswick by W. & R. Wright. It measured 202 feet long and 1,219 tons. It traded between England, Australia, India and China. It took only 76 days to make its first trip from Liverpool to Melbourne. Star of the East was later bought by James Beazley for transporting British emigrants to Australia. It wrecked at Storing Bay, Africa in 1861.
The painting is a starboard view of Star of the East as it is headed inward from the Mersey River to Liverpool harbor. Several other ships are visible in the distance. In the background the north docks are visible with the Muspratt chimney and Victoria tower. Two pillars in the background are Bootle landmarks, used for navigation.
Artist George Stanfield Walters was born in 1839, the son of Samuel Walters (1811-1882). At age 15 he began painting in the rigging of ship portraits his father was working on. George Walters painted both oil and watercolors, during his career. He was active as a landscape and marine artist until his death in 1924.
British marine painting authority A.S. Davidson questioned whether this painting was actually done by George Walters, and believes it might have been painted by James Harris. Harris was related to the children of Samuel Walters though marriage. Davidson believed that the painting was of a different style then most Liverpool paintings.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1855
maker
Walters, George Stanfield
ID Number
2005.0279.042
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.042

Oil Painting, The Queen of the Ocean Going to the Rescue of the Ocean Monarch

The Ocean Monarch was one of nine large packet ships built by the famous shipbuilder Donald McKay in Boston for Enoch Train’s White Diamond Line of Boston-Liverpool vessels. The Monarch measured 179 feet in length and 1,301 tons and was launched in July 1847.
Description
The Ocean Monarch was one of nine large packet ships built by the famous shipbuilder Donald McKay in Boston for Enoch Train’s White Diamond Line of Boston-Liverpool vessels. The Monarch measured 179 feet in length and 1,301 tons and was launched in July 1847. On August 24, 1848 the vessel cleared Liverpool for Boston with 396 passengers, including 322 Irish emigrants. Just a few hours later a few miles off the coast of Wales, a fire around the mainmast was reported, probably started by a passenger smoking. The Monarch stopped and dropped two anchors to gain control of the fire, but it spread too quickly, starting a panic among the passengers.
Commander Thomas Littledale of the yacht Queen of the Ocean was first on the scene. Returning to Liverpool with a group of friends after the Beaumaris regatta, he managed to rescue 32 people from the burning ship, including Captain Murdoch. Other ships picked up another 188 persons; the ship and 178 passengers were lost when the ship sank at its anchors in 85 feet of water.
The painting shows the middle stage of the fire, with one mast down and red flames at the stern and amidships. Panicked people are crowded forward of the smoke and flames, overflowing out on the bowsprit and to the very tip of the jib-boom. Some survivors can be seen in the sea clinging to the wreckage of the mizzenmast. To the right is the yacht Queen of the Ocean and a sailboat.
This painting is believed to have been commissioned by Capt. Littledale to feature his heroic rescue. The Museum owns another Walters painting of the disaster that features another vessel in the foreground, and two other Walters paintings in different collections highlight still other vessels’ rescue of the passengers and crew.
The dramatic loss of the Ocean Monarch and so many of its passengers so close to shore so soon after departure, as well as its thrilling rescue, touched off an international wave of sympathy and a media storm on both sides of the Atlantic.
Date made
1848
ship launched
1847-06
ship burned and sank
1848-08-24
shipbuilder
McKay, Donald
ship captain and possible patron of painting
Littledale, Thomas
ship owners
Enoch Train's White Diamond Line
maker
Walters, Samuel
ID Number
2005.0279.066
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.066

Painting, Garrick

The Garrick was built by Brown & Bell of New York in 1836. It measured 157 feet 6 inches in length, 35 feet 4 inches in beam, 21 feet in depth of hold, and 895 tons. It was owned by Edward Collins, manager and part owner of the Dramatic Line.
Description
The Garrick was built by Brown & Bell of New York in 1836. It measured 157 feet 6 inches in length, 35 feet 4 inches in beam, 21 feet in depth of hold, and 895 tons. It was owned by Edward Collins, manager and part owner of the Dramatic Line. It served the company as a transatlantic packet for 17 years, followed by 3 years in the James Foster Jr. Line (1854 to 1857). Garrick was the fastest packet of its generation. Its average westbound passage was 32 days, with the longest taking 54 days and the shortest taking 18 days.
The painting shows Garrick preparing to pick up a Liverpool pilot boat (#12) off the Great Orme, North Wales. The Welsh Mountains can be seen in the distance. The ship is shown reducing sail, with an approaching pilot cutter converging on the opposite tack. The cathead suspends the anchor and shows it ready to be dropped. According to the British marine painting authority A.S. Davidson, this picture is typical of Sam Walters because of the four deck hands that can be seen at the bow, at ease. One has the brim of his hat turned down, looking comfortable. Davidson also confirmed that the date of the painting coincides with the date the particular cutter (no. 12) went into service. Although the Marryat Code flown by the vessel is ambiguous, the identity of the ship can be confirmed through the name-board at the bow and the appropriate full length figurehead.
Samuel Walters (1811-1882) was a British marine painter. He was the son of English shipwright, seaman, and marine painter, Miles Walters. Walters assisted his father with ship portraits. In the 1840s he set up his own studio in Bootle, England.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1842
maker
Walters, Samuel
ID Number
2005.0279.065
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.065

Painting, Ship William Penn

Painted around 1850 by an unknown artist, this formal ship portrait portrays the Black Diamond Line's ship William Penn.
Description
Painted around 1850 by an unknown artist, this formal ship portrait portrays the Black Diamond Line's ship William Penn. The Black Diamond Line was established in 1846 in Philadelphia, PA and operated a line of regularly-scheduled packet ships to Liverpool, England until just before the Civil War.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1850
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0279.005
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.005

Painting, Ocean Monarch

The Ocean Monarch sailed between Boston and Liverpool. On August 24, 1848, carrying 396 passengers, it set sail from Liverpool to the United States.
Description
The Ocean Monarch sailed between Boston and Liverpool. On August 24, 1848, carrying 396 passengers, it set sail from Liverpool to the United States. That day, off Great Ormes Head, North Wales, a fire broke out on the lower deck, suspected to be from passengers smoking below deck. Several ships came to its rescue, including the Brazilian steam frigate Alfonso, the packet New World, the yacht Queen of the Ocean, the steamer Prince of Wales, and Cambria. Of the 396 passengers, 218 were rescued and 178 were missing or dead. The ship was completely lost. This was considered one of the major sea disasters of the 19th century.
The painting shows the burning of the Ocean Monarch in rough seas. Several sail and steam ships are coming to the rescue of the passengers. About six small lifeboats are in the water. Only one mast is left, and the bowsprit is in two pieces. The CIGNA collection has another of Samuel Walter's five paintings of the fire, The Queen of the Ocean Going to the Rescue of the Ocean Monarch. The collection also has two prints on the subject: Burning of the Ocean Monarch of Boston by Currier and Ocean Monarch by A. McClure.
Samuel Walters (1811-1882) was a British marine painter. He was the son of English shipwright, seaman, and marine painter, Miles Walters. Walters assisted his father with ship portraits and in the 1840s set up his own studio in Bootle, England. Much of his business consisted of painting portraits of new ships for their English and American owners.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1848
maker
Walters, Samuel
ID Number
2005.0279.062
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.062

Painting of Sailing Vessel Higginson

The sailing vessel Higginson was built in 1814 in Liverpool, England. It measured 115 feet in length and weighed 453 tons. The vessel was owned by Sir William Barton, George Irlam, and John Higginson. When Barton died in 1826, Irlam and Higginson took up his share.
Description
The sailing vessel Higginson was built in 1814 in Liverpool, England. It measured 115 feet in length and weighed 453 tons. The vessel was owned by Sir William Barton, George Irlam, and John Higginson. When Barton died in 1826, Irlam and Higginson took up his share. It was active in the Liverpool-West Indies trade from 1814-1839. In 1839 it disappeared from the registry. Humphrey Owen purchased it in February 1848 after its former owners declared bankruptcy. Subsequently, Higginson sailed with W.H. Owens, the owner's son, as master from the Menai Straits to New York with cargos of slate and emigrants. The Welsh American paper, Y Cyfaill noted in 1850 that 150 Welshman arrived in New York on Higginson.
The painting by Samuel Walters shows the Higginson in the Mersey River, arriving at Liverpool, England. It is a harbor scene showing a good view of the city of Liverpool waterfront with churches, municipal buildings, mills and fortifications are shown. Evernton Hill is in the background. A three-part view of the ship shows the Higginson from starboard, astern, and port. The main view is a starboard profile with the sails unfurled. Several other smaller craft can be seen in the harbor.
According to A.S. Davidson in the book Samuel Walters - Marine Painter (1992, p.64), "The convention of successive views relates a progressive furling of sail, and alteration of course, until the vessel finally comes to anchor stemming the incoming tide off the distant Liverpool docks. Identity is possible from the inscription "Higginson-Liverpool" on the stern in the port quarter view, and the Liverpool Code flags, 1, 8, on the foremast.
Miles Walters (1773-1855) was a British tradesman and marine painter. Samuel Walters (1811-1882) under the influence and guidance of his father also became a marine painter. This painting may be a collaborative product of both men.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1831
maker
Walters, Samuel
Walters, Miles
ID Number
2005.0279.055
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.055

"Chacma" Barque

Chacma was built in 1868 by W. Pile and Company in Sunderland, England. She measured 174 feet in length, 29 feet 2 inches in beam, 17 feet 9 inches in depth of hold, and 569 tons.
Description
Chacma was built in 1868 by W. Pile and Company in Sunderland, England. She measured 174 feet in length, 29 feet 2 inches in beam, 17 feet 9 inches in depth of hold, and 569 tons. Owned by John Hay, she traded between Sunderland and India under Captain Thorpe until 1890, when she was sold to Norwegians. The painting features Dover harbor and Dover Castle in the distance. The ship is flying a swallow tail flag. R.B Spencer was a British painter active between 1840 and 1874.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1868
maker
Spencer, R. B.
ID Number
2005.0279.052
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.052

Painting of the Matilda Wattenbach

Matilda Wattenbach was built under special Lloyd's Registry of Shipping survey in 1853 by Frederick C. Clark in Jersey, England for J.J Helhuish and T.H.A. Wattenbach. The ship measured 210 feet in length, 35 feet in beam, 20 feet in depth of hold, and 1,058 tons.
Description
Matilda Wattenbach was built under special Lloyd's Registry of Shipping survey in 1853 by Frederick C. Clark in Jersey, England for J.J Helhuish and T.H.A. Wattenbach. The ship measured 210 feet in length, 35 feet in beam, 20 feet in depth of hold, and 1,058 tons. It first appears in Lloyd's Register in 1854. The Matilda Wattenback was a metal-sheathed vessel that traded between Great Britain and New Zealand and later participated in the China trade. In 1864 the ship's name changed to Race Horse.
The painting shows a front view of the ship under full sail from off the port bow. Montague Dawson (1895-1973) was a British painter whose father and grandfather were also well-known artists. During World War I he illustrated naval engagements. After the war, he specialized in the portrayal of clipper ships in full sail.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1935-1937
maker
Dawson, Montague
ID Number
2005.0279.016
accession number
2005.0279
catalog number
2005.0279.016

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