The Black Ball Line

Born in Sydenham, England, James Pringle came to the United States about 1830. He served in the Navy during the War of 1812, traveled extensively until 1828, and then lived the remainder of his life in Brooklyn, New York. He was a member of the National Academy of Design, where he exhibited between 1832 and 1844. New York City was the center of the shipbuilding industry during his lifetime, and his paintings are valuable records of the clipper ship era.