OREGON PINE

Artist Reginald Arthur Henry Borstel (Australian, 1875 - 1922)

Date1920

Object number00016941

NamePainting

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsDisplay dimensions: 510 x 760 x 18 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Collections

Ship portraits

Terms

DescriptionThis painting by Reginald Arthur Borstal depicts the six-masted American schooner OREGON PINE under full sail. A pennant is flying from the mizzen mast, an unidentified house flag from its main mast and the American flag with three unidentified signal flags is on the driver (or 6th mast). A companion painting of the vessel's sister ship HELEN B STERLING is also in the museums collection.HistoryThe OREGON PINE was a 2350 ton six-masted schooner launched at Portland USA, one of the largest sailing vessels to be built at the time. Along with its sister ship the HELEN B STERLING (ex OREGON FIR), the vessel was used in the transportation of lumber between America and Australia. It was renamed DOROTHY H STERLING in 1927 when it was purchased by Captain E R Sterling, presumably in honour of his wife Dorothy. The ship arrived in Adelaide, South Australia in 1929 carrying a cargo of timber, only to be abandoned in the Port Adelaide River when its owners were unable to pay the Harbour taxes and crew wages. The OREGON PINE eventually ended its career in Australia, a victim of the economic Depression.SignificanceThis is a fine example of the work of a well known Australian maritime painter, recognisable by his distinct style of ship portraits. The OREGON PINE was also an important ship in the Australian timber trade with America.