KINEO, preparing to weigh anchor in the Mersey, 1864
William G. Yorke (1817 ca. 1888)
Oil on canvas 27 in. by 38 in.
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This painting has the unusal background of the Wirral shore
of the upper Mersey between Tranmere on the right and Rock Ferry
on the left of the main subject. Flying the Blue Peter at the
foremast head, KINEO displays her
Marryat code flags,
her name flag, and the U.S. ensign. With a favorable southerly wind for
departure, the inner jib and main lower topsail are set and "backed."
Hands aloft have cast off the gaskets from the fore and main upper
topsails, which are now ready for hoisting from the deck. Meanwhile,
a group on the foredeck is working a patent capstan to pull the
ship up to the anchor, the cable appearing taut. Once the anchor
is tripped, the ship's bow should swing to starboard. Then the
fore-topsails would be set, and the yards hauled around as the
KINEO turns full circle to make for the river mouth on the right
of the painting. Alongside, a typical Mersey gig boat is about
to cast off. In the foreground, a naval boat makes for the two-decker
on the left side of the painting, and two typical Mersey flats
work their way up river, tacking against the headwind.
The 829-ton KINEO was built at Bath, Maine, in 1855. |
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Last updated November 25, 1996