Clipper ship COMET of New York in a hurricane off Bermuda, on her voyage from New York to San Francisco, October 1852

Artist Charles Parsons

Lithographer Nathaniel Currier (1813 - 1888)

Date1855

Object number00018996

NameLithograph

MediumChromolithograph on paper

DimensionsOverall: 613 x 769 mm, 5 mm, 0.7 kg

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

DescriptionThis hand-coloured chromolithograph on paper depicts the New York clipper ship COMET caught in a hurricane off the coast of Bermuda. The ship was on route to San Francisco from New York in October 1852 when it lost its topmast and royalmast in a storm. Despite this the COMET was repaired and made its voyage in the speedy time of 79 days under the command of Captain E C Gardiner.HistoryThe era of the clipper ships was dominated by a sense of romance, competition, national pride and innovative technology. These sleek and graceful ships were a symbol of American modernity and fundamental to the expanding global economy. Their design concentrated on speed instead of cargo capacity and was a great benefit to shipping companies eager to transport goods quickly. The COMET was built in New York by William H Webb and launched in July 1851. It was described as one of the fastest ships to be launched from his yard and was mainly used for transporting passengers and cargo to San Francisco. In 1863 COMET was sold in London and renamed FIERY STAR. Well adapted for carrying passengers, it was used on the England - Australia run, sailing to Moreton Bay in 1863 and Brisbane in 1865. FIERY STAR was destroyed by fire in April 1865 off New Zealand on its way from Brisbane to London.SignificanceThis lithograph is an example of ship portraiture during the 19th century and is representative of the vessel COMET. It highlights the practice of Captains or ship owners commissioning portraits to commemorate a ship, wreck or maritime event.