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Lot Essay
Although undated this work was possibly painted in the early 1870s. The subject is reminiscent of Turner and Friedrich. The arrangement of one diagonal ship situated parallel to the picture frame, with a distant vessel creating a horizontal, resembles that in Sheerness, Guardship Saluting (1875) where several ships create a horizontal.
The early morning mist part obscures the boat in full sail, but the complicated rigging on the stationed vessel is clearly traced. Dawson made several pencil studies of ship masts and rigging, ever concerned that his depictions should be accurate. This meticulous approach is consistent with Dawson's knowledge of engineering; James Orrock cited his ability to build a boat or puzzle out the construction of a steam engine.
The early morning mist part obscures the boat in full sail, but the complicated rigging on the stationed vessel is clearly traced. Dawson made several pencil studies of ship masts and rigging, ever concerned that his depictions should be accurate. This meticulous approach is consistent with Dawson's knowledge of engineering; James Orrock cited his ability to build a boat or puzzle out the construction of a steam engine.