The Byzantium in two positions off the cliffs of Dover with Dover castle in the distance

The American registered "Byzantium" was a full-rigged ship of 1,048 tons acquired for the Brigham Line's sailings from New York to New Orleans and Natchez in 1857. Sold the next year to the short-lived Eastern Star Line for their New York to Liverpool packet service, by 1859 she was running out of New York to London under the New Line's colours. Commanded throughout this period by Captain W.B. Hilton, she maintained the trans-Atlantic service to London for several years at least, during which time this portrait of her off Dover by Tudgay was executed in 1861.