Marine Prints
MARINE PRINT COLLECTION
Written and Edited by F. Carrington Weems II
Artwork Owned by F. Carrington Weems II
Click on an image for full enlargement
A MIDNIGHT RACE ON THE MISSISSIPPI
Pioneered on the Hudson River in the first decades of the 19th century, the steamboat in latter decades transformed commerce on the great rivers of the Midwest: the Ohio, the Mississippi, and the Missouri. Races between steamboats were common, but extremely dangerous, all too frequently ending in the explosion of an overheated engine.
Staff artist Frances “Fanny” Palmer produced a series of Mississippi River scenes, including this rendering of a well-publicized race between the Natchez and the Eclipse. The composition in both accurate — based on a drawing from life of the Natchez — and romantic, complete with fiery smokestacks and a full moon.

After a Sketch by H. D. Manning; Published by Currier & Ives
Hand-colored lithograph on paper; 26 x 35½ inches; 1860.
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THE EMBARKATION OF HENRY VIII AT DOVER IN 1520
Until the time of King Henry VIII, England had a small standing navy. To defend himself against the Scottish threat from his brother-in-law, James IV, Henry enlarged the Navy Royal, building warships both large and small. At the time of his death in 1547, Henry’s fleet comprised 58 vessels and a Naval administration with storehouses and dockyards.
The Embarkation of Henry VIII depicts the scene at Dover as Henry set sail to meet Francis I and The Field of the Cloth of Gold in France. The ships shown in this print represent carracks, a 16th century vessel type that was used for merchant voyages, exploration and war.
Specific features of the carrack were its three to four masts with square and lateen sails, high stern castle and triangular fore castle. Carracks had capacious hulls, but their beamy design and high sides made them awkward sailing ships.

James Basire (1730 – 1802) (from an original by S. H. Grimm); Hand-colored engraving; 33½ x 55 inches; 1775.
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OLYMPIC
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DREW & ST. JOHN PASSING ON THE HUDSON
The Grandest Palace Drawing Room Steamers in the World
Drew & St. John of the People’s Evening Line between New York & Albany
Passing on the Hudson
Two Sidewheel Hudson Steamers
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MAURENTANIA
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SATCHEM
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NEW YORK YACHT CLUB REGATTA
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VICTORY
PRELUDE TO TRAFALGAR
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VICTORY
BREAKING THE LINE AT TRAFALGAR, 1805
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THE ELISSA
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CIVIL WAR WARSHIP
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AMERICAN PACKET SHIP
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C.S.S. ALABAMA AND U.S.S.
KEARSARGE OFF CHERBURG, 1864
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VICTORY
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THE CHASE
The newly launched J-Class sloop “Shamrock V” leading the “Britannia” in the solent in 1930. A limited edition print from a painting by John Mecray, signed and numbered 236/975. Beautifully framed.
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THE BATTLE OF ST. VINCENT
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YACHT WESTWARD
AMERICA’S CUP WINNER

With yachts “Britannia” and “Tenara” by John Mecray. A special limited edition print, signed and numbered 563/750. Published by Mystic Maritime Graphic, Mystic Connecticut. Currently unavailable. Beautifully framed.
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ST. LOUIS WHARF:
A VIEW FROM EADS BRIDGE
As we look down upon the levee from the EadsBridge, we see the many packet steamboats loading and unloading. Some of the boats have come downriver from far up the Mississippi; others such as the Spread Eagle have come down from Alton on the Illinois side with a mixed cargo. Others have arrived from ports on the Missouri loaded with furs and pelts and are loading mining machinery, whiskey, flour and trade goods destined for miners and army posts as far west as Fort Benton, 3,100 miles upriver.
The Spread Eagle will enter the downriver trade making to Louisiana and many ports in between. She is one of five packets to bear that name and travel the Mississippi and MissouriRivers for almost a half-century. Only a few years remain for the riverboats to rule the transportation of the era, soon the railroads will take over and a colorful period in history will be gone forever.

Steam on the Rivers: A series of fine limited edition prints from paintings by Robert Sticker, signed 68/780.
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SEA CLOUD
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ROYAL GEORGE

By Derek G. M. Gardner. “The Hundred Gun Flagship of Vice Admiral Sir Alex. Hood”; Signed and Numbered 214/750.
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R.M.S. MAURETANIA
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THE FOG WARNING
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THE SOUTHERN CROSS
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AMERICAN: SALEM HARB
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ORION
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HOVE-TO OFF THE NEEDLES
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LEAVING PORT
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BREEZING UP
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THE FIRST JOURNEY OF
“VICTORY” 1778
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THE YACHT SQUADRON AT NEWPORT

First Published by Currier and Ives
Reproduced by Meriden Gravure Company; 1974;
Newport, Rhode Island
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YACHTING RACE IN NEW YORK HARBOR
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MARINE VIEW, NEW BEDFORD HARBOR
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THE INDEPENDENCE
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THE ROSCOE
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THE STEAMER “AMERICA”
ON THE HUDSON RIVER
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THE ACTION BETWEEN
U.S.S. CONSTITUTION AND H.M.S. JAVA
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DEFENCE
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GLORY AND VALIANT
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THE FIGHTING “TEMERAIRE”
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