Francis Hustwick (1797-1865)
The barque Kingston off the South Stack

The telltale outdated Union flag is in evidence, both in the ensign at the mizzen gaff peak, and as the pilot jack at the foremast. As in the earlier examples, the flags stream upwards, and the mizzen canvas is much duller than the rest. The wave tops run inwards, with white areas outlining the stem (and stern in this case) in pleasing fashion. Cumulus clouds occupy most of the sky area, but full sail is carried and typically the clouds are not threatening. Much lighter in tone than the first example (see page 13), the darker areas of cloud tend to exhibit a charac-teristic hint of lilac. In the background on the right, is the familiar Holyhead Mountain with the off-lying South Stack. In characteristic bluish silhouette, the headland’s shape is much flatter than that adopted by the other Liverpool artists.

Crossing ahead of the main subject a lugger sails out of the canvas towards the observer, yet another compositional element favoured by this artist.

369 tons, built in Nova Scotia in 1837, and changed to barque rig, as shown, in 1844, the owners were Rowlinson & Co. of Liverpool. Lloyd’s Register for 1848 has the entry stamped ‘wrecked’.

Oil on canvas 24" x 36" Courtesy of N.R. Omell, London