The westerly winds responsible for the record runs of ships while sailing the southern hemisphere would produce magnificently perilous seas. Gray's largest tribute to the stalwart men and ships whom met the challenge on the east bound route around Cape Horn is a third-person view of a moment he knew firsthand. Sailors attend to the vital tasks on deck putting themselves at peril with the wooden decks awash in a massive swell of cold salt water.
The final days of merchant sail are marked by the efforts of the Alaskan Packers, the German ‘P' ships in the nitrate trade, and last, the Australian Grain fleet of Captain Gustav Erikson of Finland. Crewed by merchant mariners in ever decreasing numbers, assisted with new technologies that reduced crew sizes, these last deep water sailors raced wheat from Australia to Europe in action harkening back to the Tea Trade from China to England.
Gray excels in portraying the emotion and sheer strength involved in facing the challenge of sailing the high seas. His best works exemplify the extreme conditions these men met in their working environments. Here, the emerald translucent color and heavy white froth makes one's feet cold and wet just to look upon it, and you'll find yourself tightening the grip on the nearest rail just to hang on. It is dramatic, breath-taking and a fine art champion.
