PAINTING
Dimensions63.8 x 87 cm
Object numberHF.96.26.1
DescriptionFramed rectangular oil painting on canvas. Painting depicts the 3-masted barque, Railway King, in full sail at sea with crew on the deck of the ship. Other ships and land can be seen in the background. Three flags are visible, one on each mast: a Red Ensign flies from the stern, a pennant flies from the centre mast featuring a "P" referring to ship owner James C. Pope, and a Union Jack flies from the forward mast. The gold-coloured frame is made of softwood and features sections of decoration along the edging. The corners are mitred with the side pieces of the frame made of two separate pieces and joined at the centre unevenly. Title of painting: "Railway King".
Narrative
Built in 1871 by Summerside
shipbuilder, John MacKinnon, for prominent shipowner James C. Pope. This hulk of
a ship weighed around 789 tons, which was very large given it was most likely
used to transport goods. Sold to James Malcolm of Liverpool in June 1872, the Railway
King was used as a merchant ship until the barque went down in early
December 1872, bringing its short life to an end.
Prior to being donated to the provincial artifact collection, this painting of the Railway King was owned by the granddaughter of Captain Allan Finlayson, the barque's first master.
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