Historical Materials: Vessels (Specific / Named)

"'Star Light' was built for the Boston firm of Baker & Morrill and was launched from the South Boston shipyard of E. & H. O. Briggs on February 11, 1854. Regarded as a medium (as opposed to extreme) clipper, she made several fast passages to San Francisco, returning via the Far East. Lane probably saw and sketched her after her launch and fitting-out, returning to his Gloucester studio to do the painting." (1)

Information in the above table description applies to "Starlight" in Harbor, c.1855 (inv. 249) only. The vessel in Ship "Starlight", c.1860 (inv. 65) differs significantly in hull form and detail, but no other ship named "Star Light" matches the painting. It should be borne in mind that there are numerous major gaps in the registry records for vessels built in New England and the "Star Light" in Ship "Starlight", c.1860 (inv. 65) may well be one of those vessels whose official records are lost.

– Erik Ronnberg

References:

1. Erik Ronnberg in Alan Granby et al. A Yachtsman's Eye: The Glen S. Foster Collection of Marine Paintings (Philadelphia, PA: Independence Seaport Museum; in association with W.W. Norton, 2005), 200.

See also Octavius T. Howe, and Frederick C. Matthews. American Clipper Ships: 1833–1858. Salem, MA: Marine Research Society, 1927.