Built in Bristol, England by Brunel she was rigged differently many times, shown here in 1854 in her most efficient rig she was ship rigged and twin funnelled. She is crossing the Southern Ocean returning to Britain from Australia where she was then refitted to one funnel and had her freeboard heightened, she remained this way until she was recovered in the Falklands and restored as a permanent memorial back in Bristol. A background story is included in the price.

Designed and built by Scott and Linton of Dumbarton, Scotland in 1860, this clipper was ordered by John Willis of London who needed a speedy vessel to compete along the China Trade run. Sold and renamed “Ferraira” and then “Marie di Ampera” then sold again, restored and renamed “Cutty Sark”. In 1957 a dry dock was built in Greenwich, England by the National Maritime Trust, so that she could be used as a museum. A background story is included in the price.

Built in 1851 by Donald McKay of East Boston, USA, this clipper quickly became known for her speed. In 1851 she travelled a distance of 374 nautical miles in 24 hours with an average speed of 15.5 knots. Her log stated that during squalls she reached speeds in excess of 18 knots. Vying with her speedy competitors in their race against time to earn fortunes for their owners, she spent 23 successful years notching up many other fast runs. A background story is included in the price.

Nelson with his fleet of thirteen ships of the line sighted the French fleet at anchor in the Bay of Aboukier on the 1st August 1798. He decided to attack in spite of night time approaching and they split into two columns and attacked the fleet from both sides. They burnt and sank all but two of the French ships including the flagship “L’Orient” which exploded and sank taking her cargo of money and treasure to the bottom of the bay. A background story is included in the price.

In 1801 Britain was at war with France and Spain and the British fleet was sent to Copenhagen to convince the Danes not to join the alliance of armed neutrality. Vice Admiral Nelson, second in command to Admiral Sir Hyde-Parker offered an armistice to the Crown Prince of Denmark later the battle was considered to be won by statesmanship rather than by the battle. After the battle Nelson was given full command of the fleet. A background story is included in the price.

In June 1667 Dutch squadrons attacked the mouth of the river Medway and further down frantic preparations were under way to protect Chatham Dockyard. A great chain was slung across the river and when the Dutch fleet arrived they sent fire ships to break it. Once inside, they burnt all but two of the English fleet (the “Royal Charles” and the “Unity”) the coat of arms of the “Royal Charles” is on view in Amsterdam. A background story is included in the price.

France, 1796 - Two British frigates the “Amazon” and the “Indefatigable” fought for eleven hours with a French 74. Capt. Pellew’s journal states that through the black, stormy night a sudden, bright shaft of moonlight enabled him to see the rocks. He saved his own ship but the “Amazon” floundered along with the flagship. On board the “Amazon” they quickly built a raft with spare masts and ferried all their crew to safety. A background story is included in the price.

1789, the “Guardian” was on route from London to Australia she took on provisions in Cape Town and set off through the Southern Ocean. Colliding with an iceberg the wind tore her free but she lost her rudder. Captain Riou decided to try to save his ship and with the remaining few crew they fothered the vessel in an attempt to seal the hole. Nine weeks later they sailed into Cape Town in spite of taking in 16’ of water! A background story is included in the price.

This was painted from the eye-witness account of Col. Drinkwater who was on board the “Minerve” at the time. February 1797 and the “Minerve” had just escaped from a close encounter only to end up in thick fog and in the middle of the Spanish Fleet that the British Fleet was searching for! Nelson and his crew watched and copied the Spanish vessels noting all the details. Eventually they left and rejoined Admiral Jervis. A background story is included in the price.

In 1798 after the battle of the Nile, Rear Admiral of the Blue, Nelson went to Mgarr Harbour Gozo, Malta and successfully negotiated with Archpriest Saver Cassar who was the head of the Matrice (the Cathedral) and Superintendent of the island, the surrender of the French from the islands. The document signed by Nelson is displayed in the National Archives Gozo Section in Victoria. The first ensign to fly over Rabat was the white ensign. A full background story is included in the price.

“On the 2nd, in the morning, the wind, which had blown fresh all night from the North West, came round to the South West and increased to a heavy gale. At six in the morning the storm exceeded what I had ever met with before: and the sea from the frequent shifting of the wind, running in contrary directions, broke exceeding high.” Captain William Bligh – 1789. A background story is included in the price.

This little ship, only 75 ft long at the water line, was named after Sir Francis Drake’s flag ship the “Golden Hinde”. Commissioned by the Drake Society of San Francisco, she was built in Appledore, North Devon. She was used as the Black Ship in the TV series “Shogun”, journeyed back across the Atlantic and was exhibited at the World’s Fair “Expo ‘86” in Vancouver, Canada. A full background story is included in the price.

Shown here off the coast of British Columbia was built in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1868 for the China Tea Trade. On her maiden voyage she broke all records for the fastest runs for each leg of her journey. Old but still beautiful, the Canadians purchased her, painted her white and changed her rig from ship to barque (as shown). They cut three holes in her bow to allow 100ft x 2ft x 2ft logs to be slid into her hold. A full background story is included in the price.

Built of Danish oak by Soren Larsen & Sons in Nykobing Mors, Denmark she traded cargo around the Baltic and North Atlantic until the 1970’s. In 1978 discovered derelict she was lovingly restored to a graceful nineteenth century Brigantine. She achieved fame during her second working life as a star of: The Onedin Line, The French Lieutenants Woman & Shackleton. A full background story is included in the price.

The painting is set in the late 18th century, in the area of New Brighton, Liverpool, England and shows the outcrops of rock known as yellow noses. Times were hard and here, as all around the coastal areas of Britain, local inhabitants were driven, by need, into a life of crime. They placed lanterns onto the rocks to lure the passing ships to a deadly end and plundered the cargoes of brandy, wine, cloth etc. to sell on the black market. A background story is included in the price.

Swan II was clinker built by Thomas White of Broadstairs, Kent, England as a revenue cutter for William Arnold, Revenue Collector for the Isle of Wight. She is flying a blue pennant requiring the French ship to hove to for inspection and a blue ensign. This was only allowed from 1784 – 1801 whilst the Customs were incorporated into the Navy, prior to and after this the ensign and pennant would have been mercantile red in colour. A background story is included in the price.

At the beginning of the French Revolution England declared war on France. On May 28th 1794 Lord Howe intercepted the French fleet protecting a crucial American grain convoy. Still at battle on June 1st he ordered his fleet to ‘break the line’ and leading in the “Queen Charlotte” he lost her fore topmast going past the stern of the French “Montagne”. Although the battle was won by England the convoy safely reached its destination! A background story is included in the price.

Designed by George Watson, “Britannia” was launched in 1893. Her composite construction stood the test of time well, with over forty years of service she was a fine tribute to the builders of the Clyde. Her design was so far ahead of her time that it was still considered ‘modern’ during the early 1930’s. A background story is included in the price.

Built in 1913 “Octavia” was typical of the speedy, gaff-rigged cutter of the early 1900’s known as ‘greyhounds’. Many people confuse these yachts with the Bermuda rigged “J Class”. Whilst they used to race with this class they were not as large as the “J’s”, even though they were 82 feet long. A background story is included in the price.

“Endeavour” shown here racing “Yankee” in the Solent in 1935, was designed by Mr Charles Nicholson for her owner Mr Thomas Sopwith. She was launched in 1934 and that same year she challenged “Rainbow” for the America’s cup. Many said she was unlucky not to have won. During the 1935 racing season she set an impressive record, winning the King’s Cup. A background story is included in the price.

Velsheda’s unusual name came about when her owner named her after his daughters. Here she is shown in 1935 racing in the Solent against “Shamrock 5” during the King’s Cup. Her mast is 164ft high. A background story is included in the price.

Shamrocks 3 & 4 shown here in the Solent, England, contesting against each other to decide which one would be raced in the America’s Cup. Shamrock 3 was considered to be the better design, built by William Fife she lost the race in the 1903 America’s Cup to “Reliance”. Shamrock 4 was a new design and built by Charles E Nicholson. Shamrock 4 won and challenged “Resolute” in the next America’s cup but lost. A background story is included in the price.

The “Marco Polo” was built in New Brunswick, Canada for James Baines to start his Black Ball Line. On a return journey from Australia to Liverpool she passed a ship under reef topsails whose first mate recorded in disbelief her speed estimated at 16 knots and the dress of her sails. They asked ‘what ship are you?’ and got the reply ‘the Marco Polo, 58 days out of Melbourne’ this passage cut the normal time taken for this route. A background story is included in the price.

In 1857 in front of the skyline of the Naval College, Greenwich, London the clipper “Lightning” of the Black Ball Line after an inspection by Queen Victoria, took troops on board and carried them to India to suppress the mutiny. Built in the USA her builder Donald McKay of East Boston did his best to make her perfect in every detail. The scene echoes the changing times – it shows both steam and sailing ships. A background story is included in the price.

The pride of the fleet, shown in this four print set, captures the spirit and reputation of the famous fleet of merchant ships known for their fast passages to and from Australia in the 19th century. Completed in 1855 the “Donald McKay” was the last of the ships to be commissioned by Baines & Co and was named after her builder in East Boston, USA. Her figurehead, a highlander in McKay tartan is on display in Mystic Seaport USA. A background story is included in the price.

Step back in time to the romance of the Clipper Age. The pride of the fleet, shown in this four print set, captures the spirit and reputation of the famous fleet of merchant ships known for their fast passages to and from Australia in the nineteenth century. Built for James Baines & Co, England by Donald McKay of East Boston, USA she was launched on July 25th 1854. A background story is included in the price.

The pride of the fleet, shown in this four print set, captures the spirit and reputation of the famous fleet of merchant ships known for their fast passages to and from Australia in the nineteenth century. The second of the ships built by Donald McKay, USA for James Baines & Co of England, she was launched on the 19th of April 1854 as part of the Black Ball Line. A background story is included in the price.

The pride of the fleet, shown in this four print set, captures the spirit and reputation of the famous fleet of merchant ships known for their fast passages to and from Australia in the nineteenth century. This magnificent clipper was the first ship to be built in the USA for an English house and because of this her builder Donald McKay of East Boston did his best to make her perfect in every detail. A background story is included in the price.

At 1.07pm on Monday 21st October 1805, off the coast of Cape Trafalgar, Spain, the battle had been progressing for almost an hour. “Victory” had broken the line and the air was so thick with smoke and sawdust that the crews could hardly see or breathe. A few moments later Vice Admiral, Lord Horatio Nelson, the world’s most famous naval hero, fell - shot by a French sharpshooter. A full background story is included in the price.

October 1805 - Lieutenant Lapenotiere in his ship the “Pickle” was told to deliver to England the news of the victory at Trafalgar and of the death of Lord Nelson. In the British Channel she met the “Nautilus” and Capt. Sykes said they would take the news to Portugal. However, unknown to the Lieutenant, the Captain changed his mind and also made his way to London. The Lieutenant made it to the Admiralty first and was rewarded later. A background story is included in the price.

Greenwich, England, 23rd December 1805 – Nelson’s body was brought back to England pickled in a barrel of brandy. After a brief stay in Portsmouth they rendezvoused with the yacht “Chatham” at the mouth of the Thames, the coffin was transferred and sailed up to Greenwich where Nelson lay in state and had over 60,000 people pay their respects. On the 9th January 1806 Nelson was laid to rest in St Paul’s Cathedral. A background story is included in the price.

Each of the four prints in this special set shows a different time of the day during the battle of Trafalgar. This print at 1.35pm on 21st October 1805 is based on the journal of Flag Captain Thomas Masterman Hardy who was on board the “Victory” during the battle. ‘I shall go at them at once, if I can, about one-third of the line from their leading ship, I think it will surprise and confound the enemy, It will bring on a pell-mell battle and that is what I want.’ Nelson.

Each of the four prints in this special set shows a different time of the day during the battle of Trafalgar. This print at 1pm on 21st October 1805 is based on the journal of Lieutenant E Sanders, who was on board the “Bellerophon” during the battle and led the prize crew that boarded the “Monarca” and a letter home from Henry (Middy) Walker, who was also part of the same prize crew.

Each of the four prints in this special set shows a different time of the day during the battle of Trafalgar. This print at 5.30pm on 21st October 1805 is based on the journal of Lieutenant Nicholas, a marine based on board the “Belleisle”, the logbook of the frigate “Naiad” and a letter home from Captain Robert Moorsom of the “Revenge” to his father.

Each of the four prints in this special set shows a different time of the day during the battle of Trafalgar. This print at 2.30pm on 21st October 1805 is based on the logbook of the “Euryalus”, the signal frigate captained by Henry Blackwood and a letter home from Captain Israel Pellew of the “Conqueror” to his wife.