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SAMUEL WALTERS (BRITISH 1811-1882). THE LOSS OF THE "OCEAN MONARCH" BY FIRE, AUGUST 24, 1848. Launched by Donald McKay from his East Boston yard in 1847, the "Ocean Monarch" was owned by Enoch Train's White Diamond Line providing packet service between Boston and Liverpool. One year later, homeward bound from Liverpool, less than 12 hours from leaving port and still within sight of land, a fire was discovered below decks. Thomas Littledale, Commodore of the Royal Mersey Yacht Club, was first to arrive on the scene, returning from a regatta in his yacht "Queen of the Ocean." Second was the Brazilian steam frigate "Affonso" out on a pleasure cruise. The combined skill and heroic efforts of these vessels and others saved the lives of just over half of the "Ocean Monarch's" passengers. Walters depicted the tragic and dramatic event in a series of at least three paintings, this one portrays the final stages of the rescue and the destruction of the ship. The "Ocean Monarch" has lost all of her masts, the fire forcing the remaining passengers onto the bowsprit; the "Affonso" is seen on the right with its lifeboats shuttling passengers to safety; the "Queen of the Ocean" is astern, with the paddlewheel steamer "Prince of Wales" and the Great Orme in the distance.Oil on canvas, 32 1/4 x 48 1/4 inches. Signed "S. Walters" and dated 1848, l.l. The stretcher with remnants of a printed label for E. Grindley, 73 & 75 Church St., Liverpool.
Literature: For a full account of the disaster and illustrations of the three Walters' paintings chronicling the event, see A.S. Davidson, "Samuel Walters-Marine Artist: Fifty Years of Sea, Sail, & Steam," pp. 142-46. The version showing the ship with only her foremast remaining is now in the collection of the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem.
Est. $25,000-$40,000