Lifeboat
Date
1802
Creator
Wilson Lowry (1762 - 1824, British) , Engraver
Object type
Library reference
31094
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 200mm
width (print): 205mm
width (print): 205mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Imaginary maritime scene, showing a Greathead lifeboat about to crest a wave, with the figure of a mariner in the bow pointing towards a vessel in the distance.
The accompanying text notes that: ‘In the Life-Boat are ten rowers pulling along to get to the ship. At the lower end of the boat, a man is steering her with a long oar towards the ship, whilst another person is ready with an oar, at the higher end of the boat, to steer the boat on her return; both ends of the boat being formed alike, in order to use either at will, in going to or coming from the ship’.
Plate 5 illustrating the paper ‘Particulars relative to the Construction of, and Benefits received from, sundry Life-Boats, built by Mr. Henry Greathead, or under his directions, in and since the year 1789’, Transactions of the Society, instituted at London, for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce… [Transactions of the Royal Society of Arts] v.20, (1802) pp.302-330.
Inscribed above: ‘Pl.V. A Perspective View of Mr. H. Greathead’s Life Boat going out to assist a Ship in Distress.’ Inscribed below: ‘Drawn from a Model presented by Mr. Greathead to the Admiralty. Lowry Sc.’
Henry Greathead (1757-1816?) British boatbuilder and reported inventor of the lifeboat.
Wilson Lowry (1762-1824) British engraver was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1812.
The accompanying text notes that: ‘In the Life-Boat are ten rowers pulling along to get to the ship. At the lower end of the boat, a man is steering her with a long oar towards the ship, whilst another person is ready with an oar, at the higher end of the boat, to steer the boat on her return; both ends of the boat being formed alike, in order to use either at will, in going to or coming from the ship’.
Plate 5 illustrating the paper ‘Particulars relative to the Construction of, and Benefits received from, sundry Life-Boats, built by Mr. Henry Greathead, or under his directions, in and since the year 1789’, Transactions of the Society, instituted at London, for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce… [Transactions of the Royal Society of Arts] v.20, (1802) pp.302-330.
Inscribed above: ‘Pl.V. A Perspective View of Mr. H. Greathead’s Life Boat going out to assist a Ship in Distress.’ Inscribed below: ‘Drawn from a Model presented by Mr. Greathead to the Admiralty. Lowry Sc.’
Henry Greathead (1757-1816?) British boatbuilder and reported inventor of the lifeboat.
Wilson Lowry (1762-1824) British engraver was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1812.
Associated place