Raper drawing No. 22
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Raper drawing No. 22
The melancholy loss of His Majestys Ship Sirius, wrecked on Norfolk Island. By George Raper, 1790
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Media ID 8591165
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10708522
1768 1797 18th Century Art And Illustration Coastline George Raper Great Britain Norfolk Other Raper Shipwreck Sink Sirius Voyage Wave
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative and intricately detailed drawing by George Raper, titled "The melancholy loss of His Majesty's Ship Sirius, wrecked on Norfolk Island," depicts the tragic fate of the British naval vessel Sirius, which met its end on the shores of Norfolk Island in 1790. The Sirius was part of the Second Fleet, which set sail from England in 1789 with the objective of reinforcing the British colonial presence in New South Wales. However, the fleet was beset by misfortune from the outset, with the Sirius suffering a major leak during a storm off the coast of Portugal. Despite efforts to repair the damage, the ship was unable to continue its voyage and was eventually forced to put in at Norfolk Island. However, as the crew attempted to beach the vessel, a sudden surge caused the Sirius to break up against the rocks, resulting in the loss of the ship and the lives of over 50 crew members. Raper's illustration captures the desolation and sorrow of the scene, with the waves crashing against the wreckage and the coastline stretching out in the background. The sun casts a golden glow over the water, casting long shadows and adding to the sense of melancholy and loss. The drawing is a poignant reminder of the dangers and hardships faced by sailors during the 18th century, and the high cost of exploration and colonial expansion. The Sirius was a significant loss for the British navy, as it was one of the fastest and most powerful ships in the fleet. Its wreckage remained on Norfolk Island until the late 19th century, when it was finally dismantled for its valuable timber. Today, Raper's illustration stands as a testament to the bravery and resilience of those who sailed the seas in the age of exploration, and to the enduring power of art to capture the human experience.
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