PAINTING
Date1884
Dimensions53 x 68.5 cm
Object numberHF.86.64.1
DescriptionFramed oil painting of the William Owen, a three-masted barque in full sail in Hong Kong harbour. Five figures are visible on the deck of the vessel. Flying from the masts are seven flags, which include a central one bearing Wm. Owen and a Red Ensign. The barque's name is also painted in gray on its bow. Land is visible in the paintings along with the outline of some buildings. Two other ships are depicted in the background - a Chinese ship on the left and a brigantine on the right. The waves of the water occupy by the bottom foreground while the background is filled with a deep blue sky. Title: "William Owen"
Narrative
The William Owen, a barque, was built in Dundas, PEI for L.C Owen and William Welsh. Welsh and Owen was a prominent mercantile business in Charlottetown in the second half of the 19th century. The partners contracted ships to be built a various yards across the Island. The ships were used to transport cargo to England and then sold there. The firm also maintained a small fleet used to ship goods for sale in their mercantile business.
Between 1871-1880, Welsh and Owen dominated the shipping business alongside other prominent shipbuilders like Peake Bros and J. Duncan & Co but the Golden Age of Shipbuilding on PEI was coming to an end.
Collections
