Uncover objects from the Titanic, find out about life at sea and learn about the port of Liverpool.
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Uncover objects from the Titanic, find out about life at sea and learn about the port of Liverpool.
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Oil on paper covered fibre board, 16cm x 27.5cm
This action filled painting shows boats from 'USS Saratoga' about to board the American clipper 'Nightingale' which was correctly suspected of being involved in the illegal slave trade. The slaver is shown in starboard profile with all her sails set. She is resisting the boarding and clouds of smoke from her guns are drifting over her hull and stern. 'Saratoga' is also portrayed under full sail in the far distance astern of 'Nightingale'.
The artist is not a recognised marine artist and his depiction of the vessels is questionable. The position of the sails on 'Nightingale' do not relate to a realistic situation and there seems an excessive number of gunports for a vessel of her size and type.
The seized vessel was taken to Liberia to discharge the enslaved Africans but fever claimed 160 of the 961 captives before she reached Monrovia on 13 May. She arrived in New York on 13 June. Although a case was brought to court, her owner Captain Francis Bowen had escaped from custody and continued to evade punishment.
The case caused a great deal of comment. The ship had been fitted out in Liverpool and this connection came under close scrutiny. It was apparently common knowledge in Liverpool that the vessel was destined for slaving and questions were raised about why the authorities took no action. Bowen had previously been involving in slaving and was referred to by one who knew him as 'The Prince of Slavers.'
After her slaving involvement, 'Nightingale' was used by the Federal Government but resumed a commercial career in 1865. After a brief period exploring for cable laying she returned to the Pacific and Eastern trades. She was transferred to Norwegian ownership in 1878, reduced to barque rig in 1885 and was finally abandoned at sea in April 1893 on a voyage from Liverpool to Halifax.
This painting is currently on display in the International Slavery Museum, on the third floor of the Merseyside Maritime Museum building.