American four masted barque HAWAIIAN ISLES

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

Date1906

Object number00006126

NamePainting

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsOverall: 508 x 765 x 20 mm, 1.15 kg

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

DescriptionPainting of the American four masted barque HAWAIIAN ISLES under full sail at sea by Reginald Borstel. The vessel made regular trips to Australia during the first decade of the 20th century, transporting timber to South Australia and then collecting coal from Newcastle. It was one of the one hundred-thirty ships affected by the 1907 coal strike in Newcastle.HistoryHAWAIIAN ISLES had a long varied career as a sea vessel. The ship was built by Charles Connell and Co Ltd at Glasgow in 1892 and its maiden voyage was to San Francisco. This vessel was used to transport cargo before it was sold and renamed a number of times. In 1900 the ship was bought by an American firm Welch and Company and used to transport timber, sugar and coal. Under the command of Captain Walter M Mallett, the HAWAIIAN ISLES made three voyages around the world between 1901 and 1909, following the same trade route. Starting in British Columbia the bark sailed for South Australia carrying timber, and then moved to Newcastle, NSW to collect coal to be transported to San Francisco. It than stopped to collect sugar in Hawaii for the New York market and returned to Australia carrying general cargo for Melbourne and Sydney. Some time after 1909, HAWAIIAN ISLES was sold to the Matson Line and then the Alaska Packers Association for use in the salmon cannery trade. At this stage the vessel was renamed the STAR OF GREENLAND and used on the route between Alaska and San Francisco from 1910 to 1926. In 1929 it was bought by a Swedish line owned by Abraham Rydberg and renamed the RYDBERG. The RYDBERG was Sweden's last sea-going square-rigged vessel used for transporting grain between Australia to England. It was also the last vessel to ever transport grain via Cape Horn. During World War II, RYDBERG was purchased by Portuguese interests and renamed FOZ DO DOURO. After having motors installed the ship was reported to sail for Lisbon with Red Cross supplies for prisoners of war. SignificanceThis ship portrait is by a prominent Australian marine artist and represents the transport of timber and coal between Australia and the United States.