The Brig SCOUT, Capt Condell beating out of Encounter Bay during a gale, 11 June 1840

Artist Frederick Garling (1806 - 1873)

Date1840

Object number00006352

NamePainting

MediumWatercolour Ink on paper

DimensionsOverall: 530 x 550 mm
Sight: 290 x 327 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionA watercolour titled 'The brig SCOUT, 95 tons, Capt. Condell beating out of Encounter Bay during a gale, June 11th 1840' by Frederick Garling. History"The SCOUT was built for the slave trade, was captured by a British cruiser while so engaged on the west coast of Africa, condemned, and sold as a prize. She was a practical looking craft like all her class, Brig rigged, very sharp, great beam, shallow draught, great spread of canvas and very fast. She made occasional trips here in the early days, and landed some whaling stores from Sydney at Encounter Bay for the South Australian government who had a station there. A gale of wind setting in, though being such a small vessel she was able to beat out. I have seen a very well done water colour of this, but I cannot call to mind when or where it was such as you describe and had Rosetta Head showing. It was correct in detail and an excellent likeness. She traded regularly for some time between Sydney and Hobart and was very well known as exceedingly fast. It is some fifty years since. What became of her finally I cannot say but have a dim notion she came to grief at Kent Group [Bass Strait]." - Captain A. McCoy, Port Adelaide 13th May 1889.SignificanceThe SCOUT was built as a slave trader, captured by a British Cruiser off the west coast of Africa and later sold. It was brought out to Australia and first used for whaling supplies, then later as a regular trader between Sydney and Hobart.