Lot Essay
The topsail schooner Lancefield is shown leaving the Mersey with the Perch Rock Fort and Lighthouse visible on the extreme right; then the New Brighton pier, a Mersey flat, an inward bound ship, and under the schooner's bowsprit a Liverpool bound Wallasey ferry steamer; In the background is the sparsely populated Wirral peninsula as seen from Liverpool. Visibility is unusually clear allowing a view of the Welsh hills above the pilot cutter seen in bow view on the far left. An attractive and characteristic feature of the painting is the artist's ability to acheive perspective and visual interest in the broad and otherwise featureless stretch of estuary, by alternating bands of light and dark and the use of subtle variations of tone.
Built at Bideford in 1850 the 95 tons topsail schooner Lancefield initially traded coastwise between there and London where she was owned by G.B. Carr. Along with the brig Maria Helena of Lisbon, she was then engaged in a shuttle service between Liverpool and Lisbon, locally managed by 'John Bibby & Co.' of Liverpool one of the oldest names in international shipping circles and still based in Liverpool. First involved with shipping in 1801 the company operated its own fleet of packets between the two ports from the early 1820's, its early success stemming from a prosperous two way Mediterranean trade. As the Bibby fleet expanded into the Mediterranean and further afield, the use of managed vessels for the Liverpool Lisbon trade suited both parties, Lancefield continued in the service until a change of ownership in 1862 and was reported "sunk" in 1870.
Identified by the Marryat Code hoist, 2nd distinguishing pennant, 6,1,0,3, at her foremast, the brig Maria Helena is hove to under shortened sail, with a boarding ladder at the entry port, where her captain awaits complete with top hat. At the after peak is the old Portuguese ensign, the vessel being owned and registered at Lisbon. Approaching from the left of the painting is the reason for the formal reception; a boat displaying the same ensign aft with a dignitary sheltered under an awning and eight oarsmen in resplendent uniforms.
Maria Helena is not recorded in Lloyd's Registers, but from the Custom Bills of Entry at Liverpool she had a capacity of 142 tons, with a crew of 12 men and regularly traded between there and Lisbon, the tophatted master in the painting being Captain F.R. Setubal. Inward cargoes included palm oil, seed oil, lemons, oranges, grapes, wine, cream of tartar, sardines, orchella weed (source of a violet dye), and various odd items, (five elephant teeth on one occasion).
Both Lancefield and Maria Helena display the same distinctive houseflag including a Union flag. The circumstances suggest a syndicate between Carr & Co, of London, and Portuguese interests with offices in both Portugal and England.
Built at Bideford in 1850 the 95 tons topsail schooner Lancefield initially traded coastwise between there and London where she was owned by G.B. Carr. Along with the brig Maria Helena of Lisbon, she was then engaged in a shuttle service between Liverpool and Lisbon, locally managed by 'John Bibby & Co.' of Liverpool one of the oldest names in international shipping circles and still based in Liverpool. First involved with shipping in 1801 the company operated its own fleet of packets between the two ports from the early 1820's, its early success stemming from a prosperous two way Mediterranean trade. As the Bibby fleet expanded into the Mediterranean and further afield, the use of managed vessels for the Liverpool Lisbon trade suited both parties, Lancefield continued in the service until a change of ownership in 1862 and was reported "sunk" in 1870.
Identified by the Marryat Code hoist, 2nd distinguishing pennant, 6,1,0,3, at her foremast, the brig Maria Helena is hove to under shortened sail, with a boarding ladder at the entry port, where her captain awaits complete with top hat. At the after peak is the old Portuguese ensign, the vessel being owned and registered at Lisbon. Approaching from the left of the painting is the reason for the formal reception; a boat displaying the same ensign aft with a dignitary sheltered under an awning and eight oarsmen in resplendent uniforms.
Maria Helena is not recorded in Lloyd's Registers, but from the Custom Bills of Entry at Liverpool she had a capacity of 142 tons, with a crew of 12 men and regularly traded between there and Lisbon, the tophatted master in the painting being Captain F.R. Setubal. Inward cargoes included palm oil, seed oil, lemons, oranges, grapes, wine, cream of tartar, sardines, orchella weed (source of a violet dye), and various odd items, (five elephant teeth on one occasion).
Both Lancefield and Maria Helena display the same distinctive houseflag including a Union flag. The circumstances suggest a syndicate between Carr & Co, of London, and Portuguese interests with offices in both Portugal and England.