Historical Materials: Vessels (Specific / Named)

The brig "Antelope," 370 tons, was built at East Boston by Samuel Hall in 1843 for Russell and Co. of Boston. She was used in the opium trade with China. She was very fast, enabling owners to have extensive control over the opium trade. This painting, made by Lane in 1863, twenty years after "Antelope's" launch, is apparently based on an earlier, contemporary painting. (1) The "Antelope" was built under his supervision for Russell & Co., in which he was then a partner. (2) 

Another ship with the same name, a propeller steamer Steam demi bark Antelope, 615 tons, c.1855 (inv. 449), was built in 1855, also for Russell & Co., for then-opening trade with Japan.

– Erik Ronnberg

References:

1. Some Ships of the Clipper Ship Era (Boston: State Street Trust Co., 1913), 12.

2. R.B. Forbes, Personal Reminiscences (Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 3rd. ed., rev. 1892), 211, 383, also "list of vessels and business partners."