FORSTER, William James (1840-1891)
The 'Morning Light' Off Sydney,' 1887.
Signed and dated lower left.
W/Clr & Gouache
39x63cm (image) 73.5x96cm (frame)

PROVENANCE:
Australian Art Auctions, 1980; John Hannan Collection of Marine Art.

OTHER NOTES:
A two-masted coastal trading schooner, Morning Light was built in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1876 by shipwright C. Norris. Owned by J. Carter and W. Taylor, she was employed extensively in the coastal trade, carrying locally sourced timber, coal, and general cargo between Sydney and regional ports along the east coast of Australia, including Maryborough and Townsville.
Her relatively small size and highly manoeuvrable design enabled her to navigate shallow river bars and reach coastal jetties inaccessible to larger ocean-going vessels. She remained in service for almost four decades before being retired in 1914.


Estimate $1,200-2,500