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Oil on canvas, 61cm x 91.5cm
The ship rigged 'Bosphorus' is shown in port profile entering the Mersey with an impressive amount of sail. However, the top royals and the lower sheets of the fore and main masts are being furled as the vessel enters the hazardous approaches of the river. The No. 5 pilot boat is visible under the bowsprit with the familiar Perch Rock Lighthouse and Fort in the far left-hand distance.
The vessel is identifiable by her Marryat flag code of 1 d.p. 1, 0, 7, 8. A blue name pennant flies from the main mast but the artist misspells her name as 'Bosphorous' (though he gets it right on the bow). At the foremast is the Rathbone house flag of an 'R' on a white band between two red bands. She flies a pre-1801 red ensign at the peak.
'Bosphorus' was built of wood in Canada in 1855 and was acquired by Rathbone in December of that year. She sailed mainly to India, in particular Bombay. Rathbones sold her to James Stoddart of Liverpool in 1863 and she was transferred to London owners in February 1869.
The No.5 pilot Boat is the schooner 'Victoria and Albert' built by Michael Ratsey in West Cowes in 1856. She collided with the barque 'Govenor' under tow three miles off the Bar light vessel in May 1888 and sank with the loss of one pilot.
The painting has previously been attributed to an Associate of Joseph Heard but it bears the style and hallmarks of Hustwick, including the misspelling of the name pennant.