The Medium Clipper BLACK HAWK at Dawn

oil on linen, 22” x 36”

$35,000

The cold and dampness of the night slowly dissipate as the approaching dawn races up behind the clipper BLACK HAWK. Built at New York in 1857, and owned there as well until she was sold in 1880 to German interests in Bremen. While under the U.S. flag, she traded almost exclusively between San Francisco, New York and Liverpool, and established a record for herself as a fast ship with an average of 124 days for her 20 passages to San Francisco.

In May of 1888 she departed Bremen for Baltimore. While in tow, BLACK HAWK suffered damage in a collision with a barge but was able to be repaired and proceeded to sea. There is however no further mention of her in shipping records.