City of Adelaide outward bound, Spencer Gulf, South Australia - Steven Dews

The sailing ship,City of Adelaide has just dropped her towline at the mouth of the Spencer Gulf and is proceeding to sea on her voyage back to England. The tug, along with the ship are now back in Adelaide as historic exhibits forming the centre pieces of the maritime museum in Adelaide.

The ship until recently was berthed in Scotland and was on the brink of being broken up. She was saved by the people of South Australia for future generations to appreciate as the first example of a then ’new' type of construction which was so revolutionary that Lloyds of London did not have a classification for her at her launch.

On Her maiden voyage, she arrived in South Australia with the first of an estimated 250,000 immigrants and a general cargo from the British Isles. The 'City of Adelaide' made this voyage annually over the next 23 years. She was built for Captain David Bruce by William Pile, Hay and Company, specifically the South Australian trade. There were four shareholders, Captain Bruce, Joseph Moore Snr of Devitt and Moore (they were the managing agents), Harold Brothers (Adelaide agents) and Henry Martin proprietor of both the Yudnamutana and Blinman copper mines.

Her construction was of particular interest as she was composite; timber planking on wrought iron frames. This system produced a ship with the strength of iron but with the advantage of allowing the attachment of copper sheathing which would reduce the hull fouling, one of the main elements dramatically reducing a ships speed. As this was 'new' technology they 'over-engineered' her and although the construction system was used in ship building for only a short period, about twenty years ( later on the 'Cutty Sark’) the over-engineering probably accounted for her longevity even after a grounding for a week in 1874 on Kirkcaldy Beach, South Australia

Limited Edition Print on Canvas - Edition of 300.
Each canvas is hand-numbered & accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity, which is signed by the artist.

Image size: 20 x 30 inches (51 x 76 cm)
Canvas size: 24 x 34 inches (61 x 86cm)