Lot 65: Édouard Adam (French, 1847-1929) The Richard Rylands passing the Fastnet Rock

The Richard Rylands passing the Fastnet Rock
signed 'Ed. Adam', inscribed 'Havre' and dated 1881 (lower right)
oil on canvas
85 x 130.2cm (33 1/2 x 51 1/4in).

The full-rigged three-masted merchantman Richard Rylands was built by King in New Brunswick, Canada, in 1863. Registered at 1,390 tons, she measured 203 feet in length with a 40 foot beam and was owned first by Seddons of Liverpool who put her into the Indian trade. In the late 1860s Seddons sold her to Vaughan Brothers, also of Liverpool, who placed her under the command of Captain Sheckell. Remaining in the Indian trade, she disappears from record in 1877 after being sold to German owners.

This painting by Adam shows her wearing the house flag of Vaughan Brothers to whom she belonged for most of her working life in British registry.