CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
Details
Oil on milk glass panel signed J. Bell. James Bell is listed in the 1905 Liverpool directory as a marine artist, but very little is known about him. It is said that he was a sailor and served aboard the RMA Karina. Most of his surviving work was done on small milk glass panels from 1890 to the early 1900s. The ribbon attached to the life ring bears the legend "MIZPAH," meaning "I will watch over thee."
SS Port Melbourne was launched on November 19, 1892, in Hebburn, England. Sadly, she vanished without a trace on January 27, 1899, while on a charter from New York to London. Fifty-three lives were claimed by the sea—not an uncommon event in those days.
Owned by William Milburn & Company and flagged by the Anglo Australasian Steam Navigation Company.
Length: 372 ft
Beam: 48 ft
Gross tonnage: 4,670
Speed: 11 knots
Condition: image is bright and strong with a very light 1/2-inch scratch above the letter "N" in the word London.
Glass size: 12 1/4 x 9 1/4 inches
Framed size: 14 1/2 x 12 1/4 inches
Dimensions: 14 1/2 x 12 1/4 inches (framed)