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Clipper ship FLYING SCUD - Captain William McFree
Clipper ship FLYING SCUD - Captain William McFree

Clipper ship FLYING SCUD - Captain William McFree

Date1853-1863
Object number00046689
NameScrimshaw
MediumWalrus tusk
DimensionsOverall: 714 x 38 mm, 1714 g
ClassificationsDecorative and folk art
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionThis walrus tusk is engraved with images relating to the clipper ship FLYING SCUD. The scrimshaw on the tusk is highly detailed with complex engraving scenes. The images chronicle the voyages of the engraver onboard the Flying Scud over a period of years. The scrimshaw is highly detailed with complex engraving scenes. One side features a seaman "unfurling the American flag", a figure of the Taj Mahal "Adieu, the beautiful Taj", "Outward bound (from) San Francisco" depicting a courting couple, Captain William McFree with extant, "Aye aye, Sir, East South-East" all above an image of The FLYING SCUD in full sail. The verso scenes depict a heroic warrior in classical dress with helmet, sword and shield atop a Roman capital, a "Bayadera dame", The FlLYING SCUD in Queen Charlotte Sound, a Nukahiva native in full ceremonial decoration, two figures seated on an elephant inscribed "I want to go back to Singapore, beneath the tropic moon, I want to go back" above a figure of a Javanese boat.HistoryThe FLYING SCUD, built in 1853 by Metcalf & Norris, Damariscotta, was launched at the shipyard of Metcalf & Norris on 2 November 1853. In 1854 it was sold in New York for $100. On 28 September 1854 FLYING SCUD sailed from New York under the command of Captain Warren Bearse, Hyannis for Melbourne where it arrived after 80 days. From 14 April - 4 July 1856 FLYING SCUD sailed from New York to Bombay and on 26 September 1859 it sailed from Bombay to Liverpool. From 28 February - 27 June 1862 it sailed from New York to San Fransico and in April 1863 was sold to J. Thomason, Liverpool, and renamed CESTRIAN.SignificanceThis is a remarkable example of a large and highly detailed scrimshaw walrus tusk which documents the voyage of the FLYING SCUD which docked in Melbourne in 1854.