James H. Wheldon (British, born circa 1832-1895)
The SS Marsdin of Hull, 1870
monogramed and dated '1870' (lower right)
oil on canvas
122.2 x 67.6cm (48 1/8 x 26 5/8in).
Footnotes:
The SS Marsdin was built in 1870 at Hull by Humphrey & Pearson and launched in the same year for Brownlow, Lumsden & Co. Her original length was 240 ft however, in 1875 she was rebuilt and fitted with new engines, making her 258ft. At top speed, she could go between 10 to 10 1/2 knots.

The canvas has not been lined, there are four patches verso corresponding to possible repaired tears through the canvas recto, including in the upper right of the sky, lower left of the water, to the hull of the ship and to the bottom of the back sail on the boat far left.

Craquelure throughout, defined stretcher marks and cupping to the paint surface visible through much of the sky.

There is a dirty and discoloured surface varnish and rubbing to the framed edges with some associated paint loss which has been visibly retouched.

There is a tiny chip to the sail near the left framing edge.

UV light reveals the aforementioned visible restorations but only just, as a thick reflective varnish makes inspection difficult.