Victorian Maritime Painting Masterpiece Sailing Ship Susannah Thrift Brig With Pilot St Nicholas C1880

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Description

Victorian Maritime Painting Masterpiece – “Susannah Thrift” Brig with Pilot Ship St Nicholas by G. Ramsey, c.1880
Fine 19th Century … Read more Victorian Maritime Painting Masterpiece – “Susannah Thrift” Brig with Pilot Ship St Nicholas by G. Ramsey, c.1880
Fine 19th Century British Marine Oil Painting | Original Signed Work | Late Victorian Period

Subject & Medium
A commanding and atmospheric Victorian marine oil painting depicting the well-documented British brig “Susannah Thrift” accompanied by her pilot vessel “St Nicholas.”
Painted in rich oils on canvas by the British marine artist G. Ramsey, this work is a powerful celebration of the age of sail and of Britain’s 19th-century maritime pride.
Executed circa 1880, this painting captures both the technical excellence and romantic grandeur of the Victorian seafaring tradition.

Composition & Technique
The composition presents the Susannah Thrift in starboard profile, sailing in full rig through choppy, foaming waters beneath a vast and luminous sky.
The artist balances light and movement with expert precision — sunlight glimmers across her canvas sails while darker clouds drift toward the horizon, hinting at the unpredictable temperament of the sea.
Ramsey’s handling of detail is remarkable: the rigging, crew, flags, and ship name are all rendered with technical accuracy, while the texture of the waves and spray of saltwater add energy and realism.
To the left, the red pilot ship “St Nicholas” follows close behind, guiding her toward port. Distant ships, a coastal windmill, and harbour buildings are visible along the shoreline, enriching the scene with depth and narrative context.
The result is a painting that is both historically precise and emotionally stirring — a true Victorian maritime masterpiece that embodies the artistry and spirit of its era.

About the Ship “Susannah Thrift”
Name: Susannah Thrift
Type: Square-rigged Brigg (Wooden Sailing Vessel)
Launched: 1865 | Builder: Robert Fulton, Newcastle
Dimensions: 102.9 ft x 25.0 ft x 14.3 ft | 219 GRT
Registration: North Shields (No. 49760)
The Susannah Thrift was a proud and capable merchant brig, launched in 1865 by Robert Fulton of Newcastle for Robert Thrift of Blyth. She served extensively in the British and European coastal trades, particularly on routes between the Tyne and Lisbon, transporting cork, coal, and salt.
Ownership passed through several respected North East shipowners — including Matthew Pearson and William Clarkson — before her tragic loss in October 1899. While sailing from the Tyne toward Cowes, she collided with the steamer Leopold II off Dover and sank within minutes. The crew narrowly escaped with their lives, as later reported in the Shields Daily Gazette on 17 October 1899.
Known locally for her reliability and speed, the Susannah Thrift was one of the last brigs built on the Newcastle Quay, symbolising the end of a proud shipbuilding era.
This painting, created during her active years, serves as a lasting memorial to a vessel once admired along Britain’s coasts.

The Artist – G. Ramsey (Active 1856–1889)
G. Ramsey was a talented British marine painter, active in the latter half of the 19th century. His work demonstrates both artistic sensibility and technical understanding of maritime design — hallmarks of painters who worked directly from life or shipyard observation.
Ramsey specialised in realistic portrayals of identified ships, making his works valuable not only for their visual beauty but also for their historical documentation. His paintings are distinguished by clarity of rigging detail, balanced composition, and atmospheric depth, reflecting his close study of the sea and the vessels that sailed it.
Signed
Signed “G. Ramsey” in the lower right corner.

Frame
Presented in its original 19th-century gilt frame, finely carved with classical foliate and scroll motifs. The frame retains its authentic Victorian patina, harmonising beautifully with the tone of the painting.
Age-related wear, minor chips, and small restorations are present, consistent with its period and history.

Dimensions (Including Frame)
Height: 66.5 cm
Width: 92 cm
Depth: 6.5 cm

Provenance
Acquired through a notable Yorkshire auction house specialising in British and European fine art.
Curated and catalogued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD, with authenticity and historical provenance verified.
The painting retains a biographical label verso, detailing the history of the Susannah Thrift and her maritime significance.
Title: “Susannah Thrift square rigged brigg off the coast with pilot Ship St Nicholas”
Period: Late Victorian, circa 1880
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Artist: G. Ramsey (active 1856–1889)
A fully authenticated and historically important example of Victorian British marine art.

Why You’ll Love It
Authentic 19th-century British maritime painting with verifiable provenance
A signed original by a respected Victorian marine artist
Depicts a historically documented ship with a dramatic life and loss
Retains its original gilt frame, ready to hang
Combines technical skill, historical storytelling, and aesthetic beauty
Ideal for collectors, maritime historians, or period interiors
A genuine investment-quality artwork celebrating Britain’s seafaring heritage

Summary
This exceptional Victorian maritime oil painting by G. Ramsey offers a rare glimpse into Britain’s nautical past. The Susannah Thrift, captured here in her prime, stands as both a tribute to 19th-century shipbuilding and a timeless example of fine marine art.
A powerful and evocative painting of historical and artistic merit — ideal for the discerning collector. See less