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The Black Ball Line Clipper Ship JAMES BAINES with troops for India
The Black Ball Line Clipper Ship JAMES BAINES with troops for India

The Black Ball Line Clipper Ship JAMES BAINES with troops for India

Maker (Established 1842)
Artist (1819 - 1873)
Engraver
Date1857
Object number00006225
NameEngraving
MediumPrinted Ink on machine-made paper, hand coloured.
DimensionsOverall: 378 x 426 x 20 mm, 1.3 kg
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis hand coloured wood engraving depicts the clipper ship JAMES BAINES carrying troops to India. The JAMES BAINES was a famous vessel that set record times on its voyages. It is known to have sailed the transatlantic route between Boston and Liverpool in the speedy time of twelve days and six hours. In 1857 when this engraving was produced the vessel was owned by the Black Ball Line.HistoryThe era of the clipper ships was dominated by a sense of romance, competition, national pride and innovative technology. The sleek and graceful ships were a symbol of modernity in America and a fundamental part of the expanding global economy. Their design concentrated on speed instead of cargo capacity, which was a great benefit to shipping companies eager to transport goods quickly. Often ship owners or Captains would commission portraits of their ships to commemorate the vessel or a specific maritime event. JAMES BAINES was built by the renowned American ship builder Donald McKay in 1854 and used as a transport for troops, immigrant passengers and freight on the Australian trade route. It was named after the English shipping line James Baines & Co who chartered the vessel. The JAMES BAINES was capable of carrying 2093 tons. On its maiden voyage from Boston to Liverpool it made the passage in a record time of twelve days and six hours. It then travelled from Liverpool to Melbourne in the ground breaking time of 63 days. SignificanceThis ship portrait is indicative of maritime traffic in Australia during the 1850s, a period that was characterized by an expanding global economy and the Australian gold rush.