Outward Bound

 

There is something so majestic about a great sailing ship under full sail. Here the Archibald Russell sets out for the open ocean, destination Australia. The painted gun ports were a decorative element that was later discarded for a plain black hull, presumably easier to maintain

 

I am indebted to The Great Days of the Cape Horners (The New American Library) for a very excellent photograph of the deck and the rigging which turned out to be of invaluable assistance in this painting.

More information can be found on the web site, Sailing Ships

http://sailing-ships.oktett.net/128.html