FOREST PRIDE

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

Date1920

Object number00006127

NamePainting

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsOverall: 508 x 765 x 20 mm, 1.05 kg

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

DescriptionOil painting on canvas by Reginald Borstal of FOREST PRIDEis at sea with its full sails unfurled as storm clouds gather above. By the 1920s the majority of sailing vessels were in the process of being replaced by steam ships. However, FOREST PRIDE and other similar vessels were still popular for transporting timber. This ship could carry 1,550,000 feet of lumber and it utilised its sail power as a cheap mode of transport.HistoryThe FOREST PRIDE was built on Grays Harbor in 1919 at a time when tall ships were largely disappearing. It was one of two five-masted barks operating out of Grays Harbor Motorship Corporation in the 1920s. The sailing bark was an economical and a popular type of ship used for transporting lumber, at a time when steam vessels were being used for most other shipping. FOREST PRIDE made several trips to Australia during its short career before it became a log barge in British Columbia. Its last voyage to Australia was in 1927 under the command of Captain Nels F. Anderson. SignificanceThis painting is representative of the work of the prominent 19th century Australian maritime artist Reginald Borstel. It is a rare item of his work that is held in a public collection.