Lot 170: James Harris of Swansea (British, 1810-1887) A two-masted schooner passing an anchored merchantman off the Mumbles lighthouse, South Wales

A two-masted schooner passing an anchored merchantman off the Mumbles lighthouse, South Wales
signed 'Harris' (lower right) and indistinctly dated 185?
oil on canvas
20.3 x 51.4cm (8 x 20 1/4in).

Permission to build a lighthouse on Mumbles Head, off the Gower Peninsular, was granted in July 1791 and work began in July 1792. In October the same year however, the half-finished structure collapsed but was rebuilt the following year from plans submitted by a local architect; the lighthouse was completed and lit in 1794.