The first American vessel to circumnavigate the globe, the COLUMBIA REDIVIVA sailed from Boston on September 30, 1787 bound for Wampoa and Canton to trade for tea in the American China Trade. She is being warped out , passing Hancock Wharf in the late evening to be anchored in the harbor to receive final stores and pilot. The COLUMBIA was bound for her first port, the Cape Verde Islands off the northwest coast of Africa on her first voyage around the world.
In the background astern of the COLUMBIA is Fanueil Hall as it was originally built with only two stories and which, at this time , was almost on the waterfront . A canal ran along one side of the hall to a basin where smaller vessels could be brought for unloading. Today, after numerous harbor projects and land fillings, Fanueil Hall is quite a distance from the water.
Also in the background can be seen the State House, the dome of the Town Hall, Trinity Church’s spire, and Old South Meeting Hall . Part of Long Wharf can be seen on the left side of the painting.
Note the Bostonians on Hancock Wharf unloading barrels from a wagon designed especially for carrying these large barrels. The name Parker above the store window was added as an artistic license as “Parker” was the maiden name of Mr. Massey’s mother.
Image Size: 23” x 30” ; unf...$1000.00
