Lot 746: Attributed to Lai Fong of Calcutta (fl. 1890-1910)

Attributed to Lai Fong of Calcutta (fl. 1890-1910)
The three-master Hahnemann in full sail off a headland
oil on canvas
30 x 41¾ in. (76.2 x 106 cm.)

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The three-masted iron full-rigger Hahnemann was built for Stuart & Douglas by Oswald at Southampton in 1882. Registered at 1,937 tons, she was 270 feet long with a 40 foot beam, and spent most of her early career turning in good passages in the Rangoon trade even though she is chiefly remembered for her epic 210-day voyage to San Francisco in 1897. Departing from Dungeness on 25th September that year, her master Captain Bindon fell dangerously ill but refused to put into Valparaiso for treatment and subsequently died at sea. Later, a desperate shortage of water and provisions caused serious privation amongst her crew which was only alleviated thanks to a chance encounter with the U.S. sloop-of-war Adams which replenished her stores and enabled her to stay on her course and eventually make San Francisco and the 'Golden Gate' safely.