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Catalogue Entry
This painting is better titled “Rowers and Frigate” or “Rowboat and Frigate” as there is nothing about the two vessels to indicate that both are naval craft, and the two rowers are certainly not in naval uniforms. (1)
Based on the painting’s date and the warship’s hull form, the warship is almost certainly the U.S. frigate “Constitution” moored off Boston Navy Yard, in the process of being fitted out for recommissioning. Her next assignment would send her to the Mediterranean in December, 1848. (2)
Her spars have been reduced to the lower masts, topmasts, bowsprit, spritsail yard and dolphin striker, jib-boom, and main lower yard. Alongside her is a nondescript vessel with what appears to be a cut-down sloop rig, apparently providing supplies for replacement and repairs of rigging and spars. The men in the rigging are tarring the shrouds and replacing worn ratlines. The topmast shrouds appear to have no ratlines and are likely next on the list for being so-fitted and tarred.
The morning fog has not discouraged two civilians from an outing in their small boat and an opportunity to inspect the frigate at close range.
The frigate’s figurehead bears a close resemblance to the notorious carving of Andrew Jackson which was decapitated, causing a great stir among Boston politicians and their constituents. It was repaired, and may be the one depicted, although the second version replaced it about the time Lane painted this picture. (3)
– Erik Ronnberg
References:
1. M. H. Parry, Aak to Zumbra (Newport News, VA: The Mariners’ Museum, 2000), p. 492.
2. Ira N. Morris, The Frigate Constitution (Boston, MA: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1900), pp. 231-233.
3. M. V. Brewington, Ship Carvers of North America (Barre, MA: Barre Publishing Company, 1962), pp. 128-136.
