Clipper Ship "Dreadnought" off Sandy Hook, February 23, 1854, nineteen days from Liverpool

Art Historical Context

Behold the majestic clipper ship *Dreadnought* through choppy seas off Sandy Hook, New York Harbor, on February 23, 1854—just nineteen days after departing Liverpool. This vibrant hand-colored lithograph, created by marine artist James E. Butworth with lithographers Charles Parsons and Currier, captures the of the ship's arrival. Measuring about 16 by 24 inches, the print showcases Buttersworth's meticulous attention to nautical detail, from the ship's towering masts and billowing sails to the distant shoreline, all enhanced by delicate hand-coloring that brings the scene to life. In the mid-19th century, clipper ships like the *Dreadnought* represented the pinnacle of sail-powered speed, revolutionizing transatlantic trade and passenger travel before steamships dominated. This legendary vessel held the record for the fastest Liverpool-to-New York crossing (13 days, 9 hours) that same year, symbolizing American maritime prowess and the era's competitive "clipper ship races." The artwork commemorates one of her swift voyages, highlighting the romance and rivalry of the high seas. Lithography, perfected by Currier (of Currier & Ives fame), made such dramatic maritime scenes affordable and popular, turning real-time triumphs into cherished souvenirs for a public enthralled by ocean adventures. Today, this print from the Metropolitan Museum of Art evokes the fleeting golden age of sail.

About the Artist

James E. Buttersworth|Charles Parsons|Nathaniel Currier (American|American, born England) · 1813 |1817 –1888 |1894

American, Roxbury, Massachusetts 1813–1888 New York|American (born England), Isle of Wight 1817–1894 West Hoboken, New Jersey