Brig PHANTOM, Sydney Cove

Artist Frederick Garling (1806 - 1873)

Date1847

Object number00038688

NamePainting

MediumWatercolours, paper, cardboard, wood

Dimensions500 x 610 x 35 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Collections

Ship portraits

Terms

DescriptionA watercolour by Frederick Garling of the brig PHANTOM near Macquarie Fort, Sydney Cove (present day Bennelong Point). The ship is finely detailed, showing signal flags, the British red ensign and the Union Jack. Unlike many other Garling works, the painting includes a shoreline with Government House and Fort Macquarie clearly visible.HistoryThe PHANTOM was 142 tons, built in Scotland in 1841 and registered in Leith. Under its owner Captain John Miller, PHANTOM sailed to Australia via the Cape of Good Hope with a cargo of merchandise, timber and iron, arriving in early 1842. Until 1848 the brig traded between Australia, Singapore, India and New Zealand, being briefly registered in Calcutta. The fate of PHANTOM is unclear; the vessel may have sunk in 1861.SignificancePHANTOM was typical of many small vessels that came to Australia in the 19th century pursuing trade opportunities with the emerging colonies.

Frederick Garling is regarded as colonial Australia's leading maritime artist.