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Paddle steamer President in the Mersey off Liverpool, mid 19th century (oil on canvas)
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Paddle steamer President in the Mersey off Liverpool, mid 19th century (oil on canvas)
7339269 Paddle steamer President in the Mersey off Liverpool, mid 19th century (oil on canvas) by Walters, Samuel (1811-82); 51x76 cm; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Creator: Samuel Walters
The paddle steamer President is shown at anchor in the Mersey off Liverpool. She is embarking passengers on 10 February 1841 to sail to New York, which led to her last ill-fated return voyage. Passengers are boarding the ship from a small boat waiting alongside. The gold figurehead of a president is clearly visible in profile. The river is full of watermen bringing passengers and luggage to board the ship while others are taking sightseers to view it. At this period the water men still benefited from the remains of the monopoly conferred on them by the inability of sailing ships to manoeuvre in confined waters. The buildings of Liverpool form a backdrop to the scene.
At the time of the painting she was the largest vessel then afloat with a crew of about 80 officers and men. She was built of wood by Curling and Young of Limehouse, London for the British and American Steam Navigation Company. A large and very valuable cargo had previously been loaded in Coburg dock. She successfully crossed to New York in 21 days, and left for Liverpool on 11 March with about 136 persons on board. The President was never heard from again and criticism fell on the construction of her hull.); © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Media ID 38408988
© © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London / Bridgeman Images
Boat Dock City Scape Harbor Area Harbour Area Harbours Liner Liverpool Liverpudlian Merchant Navy Merseyside Paddle Wheel Steamer Paddlesteamers Port Area Row Boat Rowboat Rowing Boat Steamship Townscape Transatlantic Crossing Urban Scene Urban View City Overview City Scene Marines Maritime Force Naval Force Naval Infantry
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This stunning oil on canvas painting by Samuel Walters captures the paddle steamer 'President' in all her glory as she sits at anchor in the Mersey off Liverpool in the mid-19th century. The ship is bustling with activity as passengers board from a small boat alongside, preparing for their voyage to New York. The intricate details of the gold figurehead of a president and the watermen ferrying passengers and luggage add depth to this historical scene.
The backdrop of Liverpool's buildings adds to the atmosphere of bustling maritime activity during this era. At the time of this painting, 'President' was considered one of the largest vessels afloat with a crew of about 80 officers and men. Built by Curling and Young of Limehouse, London for the British and American Steam Navigation Company, she carried a valuable cargo on her ill-fated return voyage from New York.
Despite successfully crossing to New York in just 21 days, 'President' disappeared without a trace on her journey back to Liverpool. Criticism fell upon her hull construction following this tragic event. This painting serves as both a beautiful artistic representation and a poignant reminder of the risks faced by seafarers during this period in history.
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