The sparkle of the emerald sea in this work at once invokes knowledgeable marine collectors to recognize the hand of Samuel Walters, the foremost marine artist of the Liverpool School. This impressive ship portrait of the North American built ship is a homecoming moment preserved. FULWOOD owns a working history from both sides of the Atlantic, and is shown off the coast of Anglesey on approach to Liverpool. She wears the Liverpool house flag of Jones, Palmer & Company on the main, and is requesting a pilot's assistance. Sailing to her aid is Pilot Cutter ‘5', VICTORIA, with her punt astern.
Her Marryat's Code identifying her, FULWOOD is preparing to sail on to Liverpool, where she would unload her cargo from the Americas or possibly the Far East, as she ran consistently to India and China until her abandonment off the Azores in 1867. She is lessening her sail and making ready to heave to. The sky radiates in varying degrees around her, from bright above to full bodied clouds, lowland grays and a squall behind her.
FULWOOD was built by N.H. Jones of Quebec in 1853 and promptly sailed for New York, then Liverpool, where she immediately sold to Jones & Company, who most likely immediately commissioned this work. Measuring 193'L and weighing 1292 tons, she proved to be diversely capable. Walters excellence includes views of her figurehead, the crew working the sails and at ready, and her captain astride the deck, a telescope tucked in the crook of his arm.
Provenance: W.H. Coverdale, President of Canadian Steamship Line;By descent to his granddaughter; private Long Island, New York collection.
