In 1884, the two ships depicted above were owned by J.B. Morera of Barcelona and operating a limited North Atlantic service even though no specific details have been located. The venture was presumably short-lived however as both vessels were sold and renamed within three years of the date of this painting.

Cristobal Colon, 2,677 tons gross, was built as Rossmore by Doxford's of Sunderland in 1880 and sold to the Barcelona Transatlantic Steamship Company in 1882 who renamed her. After 1886, she was sold again several times in as many years, being renamed Puerto Rico in 1892 and then Joaquin Mumbru in 1914. Barcelona remained her home port throughout these changes of ownership however and, whilst en route from there to New York in 1917, she was sunk by a submarine off the Canaries on 31 December.

Hernan Cortes, 3,537 tons gross, was built as Stewart King by Garbutt's of Hull in 1883. Acquired and renamed by Morera in 1884, who was sold to new owners in 1892 and renamed Gran Antilla. Resold again in 1900, she was wrecked off Adra (Spain) on 8 July that year whilst en route from Newport News to Marseilles with a cargo of coal.