When the Columbia Rediviva returned to Boston after successfully sailing around the world and bringing home holds full of tea, silks and china, it was only natural that others would jump into the northwest fur trade. Two Boston merchants recruited Joseph Ingraham as the first mate of the Columbia, and gave him command of the small 70 ton brig, Hope. They sent him around Cape Horn to copy Columbia’s success. The Hope was also returning the young Hawaiian lad, Opie, to his Islands. The young Hawaiian lads, Opie and Attoo, had joined the Columbia at Niihau and were the first Hawaiians to visit the United States. Attoo caused a great stir in Boston as he was escorted in his shimmering red and yellow feathered cloak by Governor Hancock in a procession up Beacon Street . Attoo remained in Boston where he later died of disease while Opie, by returning to Hawaii, would become the first Hawaiian to circumnavigate the globe
The Hope arrived off Hilo on the Island of Hawaii on May 29, 1791 and began trading for supplies as she made her way northward along the coast. The next morning as the Hope sailed inshore off the Kohala Coast, strong winds opened a gap in the clouds to reveal the snow capped Mauna Kea. Captain Ingraham waxed poetically, "This snow is no doubt the source from which the innumerable and vast cascades of water flow which adorn this side of the island. I have counted thirty-five at one view. “ And again,”They form a very picturesque appearance. In short, in my weak judgement, many views on the north side of the island of Owhyhee (Hawaii) form subjects that are worthy to be drawn by the greatest painters.”
The painting shows the Hope as she stands inshore after a night of high winds. The clouds have parted so that Mauna Kea is visible in the far distance. Captain Ingraham in a little while will wear ship and head off shore once more as the Hope makes herself available to Islanders who wish to come out and trade.
The Hope continued northward, rounding Upolu Point and began trading off Kawaihae. It was here that King Kamehameaha and Queen Kaahumanhu came aboard and presented Ingraham with four feathered capes and two feathered cloaks. And it was here also that Opie left the Hope to live under the protection of Kamehameha. Although Opie went ashore well stocked with clothes, a musket, and an American flag, his real value to Kamehameha was that the King was getting a Hawaiian who not only spoke the language of the foreigners , but had seen the land from which they came. Later, Opie would go on to sail with George Vancouver when he visited the Islands, while the Hope would return to Boston after successfully trading on the NW coast and China.

Image Size: 33" X 22" ; unf...$2000.00