Clipper Ship “Balclutha”

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Unlike the typical lost subject of a historic marine painting, this ship is cared for to this day by the … Read more Unlike the typical lost subject of a historic marine painting, this ship is cared for to this day by the San Francisco Maritime Museum. And it floats there secure in the dignity of having been designated in 1985 as a National Historic Landmark.
But oh, what a busy girl she was in her youth. Launched in 1886 out of Glasgow, Scotland as a general cargo ship. The steel hulled and full-rigged, “Balclutha” rounded Cape Horn, navigating the treacherous seas between South America and Antarctica. In a 13-year period, she made that ship-crushing passage 17 times.
During part of that service, Edward Helgason, the Icelandic-born artist of this painting, actually served aboard this ship. He spent years at sea before charting a new course in 1957 at age 63, when he left his maritime career to establish a studio in his basement. Thereafter he meticulously painted ships, the sea, weather and rigging with notable accuracy and detail. Given the date of this picture, it was undoubtedly painted to coincide with the San Francisco Maritime Museum’s 1974 exhibition of Helgason’s work.
True to the “Balclutha’s” ultimate retirement in California, she took a “stage name” of “Pacific Queen” for her appearance in the Clark Gable and Charles Laughton film “Mutiny on the Bounty.” Acting as the floating equivalent of the “Movie Star Home” for famous ships, the San Francisco Maritime Museum has proudly displayed the "Balclutha" since 1954. At the moment, due to the Hyde Street Pier 2025 restoration, the ship can be found at Vallejo’s Mare Island. On the other hand, you can see her daily, in high seas with a full wind in her sails right in your home. See less