Historic Steamships and Engravings

A collection of vintage engravings showcasing steamships and maritime activities, highlighting intricate details and historical significance.

The gigantic clipper-ship "Great Australia", recently built for Messrs. Baines and Co., of Liverpool, 1860. Ship built by Stewart and Co., of St. John's in Newfoundland, Canada. 'This noble vessel has commenced her career auspiciously. Laden to the depth of 23½ feet, she made, at the worst season of the year, the run from St. John's to Liverpool in seventeen days. A magnificent three-decker, the Great Australia is 204 feet 10 inches over all; her breadth, 40 feet 5 inches; depth, 29 feet; and her registered tonnage no less than 1660 tons. Built for carrying a good cargo and a co

VALENCIA. EL VAPOR BRITANIA CARGANDO NARANJAS EN EL PUERTO DE VALENCIA. DIBUJO DE R. MONLEON. GRABADO DE LA ILUSTRACION ESPAÑOLA Y AMERICANA , 1879.

THE LORD WARDEN TOWING THE LORD CLYDE OFF THE ISLAND OF PANTELLARIA, 1872 engraving

The SS Vega trapped in the ice. Arctic, Russia. The Voyage of La Vega through Asia and Europe by Adolf Erik Nordenskiold 1879-1880, Le Tour du Monde 1882

THE PENINSULAR AND ORIENTAL STEAM COMPANY'S NEW SHIP 'POONAH', 1862

PILOT SERVICE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

The "Azorian", Orange Schooner, 1850. Sailing ship which '...measures about 105 tons, N.M., and brings about 730 chests of oranges...The Azores and Spain are known to afford the best oranges. The trade carried on in this produce is of considerable value and importance, and the present season of this fruit has been unusually productive...This trade has, of late years, considerably increased; and during the present season has employed from 200 to 230 schooners, greater part of which are first-class vessels...The orange-tree, being a native of warm southern latitudes, is a remarkable in

PICKING UP A MAN OVERBOARD FROM THE PENINSULAR AND ORIENTAL COMPANY'S SHIP CANDIA IN THE RED SEA.

Engraving of the Cunard Line mail steamer 'Africa', built by Steele &Co. Dated 19th Century

THE SUNDERLAND CLIPPER BARQUE, FLYING DRAGON, 1854

The gigantic clipper-ship "Great Australia", recently built for Messrs. Baines and Co., of Liverpool, 1860. Ship built by Stewart and Co., of St. John's in Newfoundland, Canada. 'This noble vessel has commenced her career auspiciously. Laden to the depth of 23½ feet, she made, at the worst season of the year, the run from St. John's to Liverpool in seventeen days. A magnificent three-decker, the Great Australia is 204 feet 10 inches over all; her breadth, 40 feet 5 inches; depth, 29 feet; and her registered tonnage no less than 1660 tons. Built for carrying a good cargo and a co

Germania, a North German research vessel that served as the main ship in the Second German North Polar Expedition in 1869-70, Germany, Historic, digit...

THE AMERICAN FRIGATE CONSTITUTION ON SHORE AT SWANAGE POINT, 1879

Engraving depicting a refrigerated ship, showing men handling sides of meat. Dated 19th century

Engraving depicting the 'Great Eastern' used during the creation of the Atlantic Telegraph. The men are laying the cable on board the 'Great Eastern'. Dated 19th Century

Engraving depicting a brig, a sailing vessel with two square-rigged masts. Dated 19th Century

Lithograph by Willem Hendrik Hoogkamer of the Line ship Zr.Ms. De Zeeuw (1825-1860), was converted into a floating battery in 1860 and reinserted to Jupiter

The Mayflower, sailing on the open sea, with passengers in 17th century dress (BSLOC_2020_1_162)

. A tweemaster with figures, to the right sailing. This print is part of a series of twelve prints with different sailing ships.

Engraving of the Peninsular and Oriental Navigation Company's new steam-ship 'Pera', January 1856. This vessel was built by Messrs. Mare, of Blackwall, to a design by Mr. James Ash. 'Pera' was the largest of P&O's ships and was also one of the fastest, running at twelve-and-a-half knots in her sea trials. Date: 1856

Engraving showing the yacht 'Fox' wintering in the ice pack, 1859. The 'Fox', commanded by Captain F.L. McClintock, went to the Arctic region in search of Sir John Franklin's ill-fated Arctic expedition of 1845. In 1845 the British Admiralty sent two polar exploration ships, HMS 'Erebus' and HMS 'Terror', to look for the Northwest passage round the northern coast of Canada. The expedition, commanded by Sir John Franklin, disappeared from view late in 1845 and none of the men were ever seen

George De Long (USA), in his ship 'Jeanette', proved that the Arctic Sea ice is moved by ocean currents. 'Jeanette', formerly 'Pandora'. Date: 1878

Clipper Ship Launched In Liverpool, August 11, 1882, Artist Unknown

The steam yacht, Lancashire Witch. Built in 1878 for Sir Thomas Hesketh, it was later owned by the explorer Frank Linsly James, who was killed by a wounded elephant in West Africa in April 1890. The Lancashire Witch was purchased by the Royal Navy for survey work and renamed HMS Waterwitch in 1893. The ship was lost following a collision in Singapore Harbour in 1912 Date: 1890

Egypt. Suez Canal. The British gunboats "Hotspur" and "Don", destined to protect the security of the canal. Engraving by Rico. La Ilustración Española y Americana, 1882. Author: Bernardo Rico (1825-1894). Spanish engraver.

American tea clipper ship 'Witch of the Wave' in the River Thames, London, 1852.

LAUNCH OF THE AUSTRALIAN STEAMSHIP PACIFIC, AT MILLWALL, 1854

Gabare dropped, the moorings to starboard, side view, vintage engraved illustration. Magasin Pittoresque 1841.

An engraving depicting the HMY Victoria and Albert, a royal yacht of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. Dated 19th century

The English fleet sailing to China. First Opium War, 19th century.

ALICANTE. LLEGADA DE LA REINA MARIA VICTORIA AL PUERTO DE ALICANTE EL 17 - 3 - 1871. DIBUJO DE R MANLEON EN LA ILUSTYRACION ESPAÑOLA Y AMERICANA.

Engraving depicting a galley under sail. Dated 18th Century

THE WAR SHIP OF THE PAST.

The Germania was a German schooner built in 1869 in Geestemuende, Bremerhaven, and was the main research vessel of the Second German North Pole Expedition from 1869 to 1870, which explored Northeast Greenland, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original, exact date unknown

Batum' (1880). Torpedo boat of the Imperial Russian Navy. Illustration by A. Cortellini. Engraving by Capuz. La Ilustración Española y Americana, 1882.

The Eastern Monarch, an emigrant ship bound for New Zealand sets off from England. Date: 9 May 1874

Engraving showing the three-masted sailing ship, 'Eastern Monarch', bound for New Zealand with emigrants aboard, 1874. Date: 1874

Traditional whale fishing in the 19th century. Old XIX century engraved illustration, El Mundo Ilustrado 1881

H.M.S. Buffalo. July 15, 1935.

Double piragua boat, New Caledonia. Old engraving illustration, Journey to New Caledonia by Jules Garnier

The late Confederate cruiser Shenandoah in the Mersey, 1865. 'After taking on board her stores and guns...this famous vessel, formerly named the Sea King,...hoisted the Confederate flag...The Shenandoah...did vast damage to the commerce of the Northern States, as long as the American Civil war lasted...She sailed for the North Pacific, where, notwithstanding that the commander was repeatedly told by the masters of neutral vessels whom he met on the high seas that the war between the North and South had terminated, he refused to believe them...Captain Waddell sunk, burned, and otherwise des

The new steam-ship Australia, 1876. Ocean-going steamer in the South West India Dock, River Thames. 'A number of state rooms on the upper or hurricane deck are arranged for two passengers only, while a few are admirably adapted for families. These are covered by a light and elegant deck, affording an excellent promenade for passengers during the daytime, and projecting sufficiently over each side to provide both an awning for the cabins and a roomy, sheltered walk...The dining-saloon...is lighted and ventilated by a lofty dome-shaped skylight, which is one of the most striking features of the

Nacelle of Henri Dupuy de Lome's airship, France, illustration by Smeeton from L'Illustration, Journal Universel, No 1513, Volume LIX, February 24, 1872.

Engraving of the gigantic clipper-ship 'Great Australia'. Built for Messrs. Baines and Co., of Liverpool. Dated 1860

A Chinese Junk

VIXEN, BELVIDERE, PRIMA DONNA, BLUE BELLE; THAMES YACHT CLUB MATCH, PRIMA DONNA ROUNDING THE BUOY AT ERITH, DRAWN BY N.M. CONDY, ESQ

The Hospital Ships for the English Expedition to Abyssinia, 1868, Ethiopia, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original, exact original date unknown, Africa

THE 'CITY OF MANCHESTER' SCREW STEAMER.

THE DISASTER TO THE GREAT EASTERN

Engraving depicting a merchantman, a ship carrying merchandise. Dated 19th Century

French ironclad frigate Date: 1859

Tea clippers Ariel and Taeping seen racing off the Cornish coast, 1866 1866

Arrival of Abel Tasman in New Zealand, 1642-1643, Rennefeld, Johannes Heinrich Maria Hubert (1832-1877)

Launch of the "Earl of Hardwicke", Whaling Ship, at Cowes, 1850. Launch of '...a fine barque, measuring about 256 tons...built for the Southern Whale-Fishery Company, by Messrs. Thomas and John White, the well-known shipbuilders of the above-mentioned place. The ship has been named the Earl of Hardwicke, in compliment to the Governor of the Company...'. The vessel is '...being fitted with all despatch, and will be sent direct to the Company's station at Auckland Island, in order to prosecute the Whale Fishery from thence; in which pursuit it will have been preceded by the whaling

Pirate ship captured off South America. Date: 1852

Navigation of the Elbe - the Steamer "Pollux" cutting through the ice at Altona, 1856. ''A novel and important experiment has just been made on the Elbe, with a view to ascertain how far it is practicable to keep the navigation of that river open during the winter. At present all communication by sea between England and Hamburg is completely stopped in winter...The fast ice... was about nine inches in thickness; and, when attacked by the steamer, was broken with perfect ease, and to a considerable distance on each side of the vessel, leaving a free channel of about sixty or seven

Race across the Atlantic Ocean. The two American yachts, Coronet and Dauntless, in the middle of the Atlantic transatlantic race. Old illustration from La Nature 1887

"THE PORTLAND 'BUS," OR STEAM LAUNCH ATTACHED TO H.M.S. HERCULES," IN FAIR WEATHER, UK, 1883

THE ARCTIC STEAMSHIP, 1854

Engraving of a model of the 'Great Harry', as displayed in the South Kensington Museum, 1865. The 'Great Harry' or 'Henry Grace a Dieu', built in 1514, was a galleon in Henry VIII's navy. Date: 1865

The French Transatlantic Company's steam-packet Washington, 1864. 'This large and beautiful paddle-wheel steamer, the first of a line of mail-packets, subsidised by the Imperial Government of France, to run between Havre and New York, has just been completed by Messrs. Scott and Co., Cartsdyke, Greenock...She is the property of the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique...The engines are supplied with steam from four large boilers, two forward and two abaft the engines...There are also two small boilers for supplying two donkey-engines with steam when the other boilers are not working. T

Lithographs The Prince of Wales s Visit to India H.M.S. Serapis India Copyright: xJehangirxSorabjee/DinodiaxPhotox

THE LOUISE MARIE, OSTEND AND DOVER PACKET-BOAT, 1867

The British fleet off Gibraltar. Date: 1844

Illustration depicting the collision of 'Princess Alice' and the 'Bywell Castle' in the Thames. Dated 19th Century

The early 1900s caption reads: "Harald the Hardredy sailed on and thus did outstrip King Svein.".

The caravel Santa Maria of Christof Columbus in 1492 on his way to America, Historical, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original

Engraving depicting a Norse/Viking ship typical of the 10th century. Dated 19th century

Illustration depicting the steamer 'The Great Britain', the first screw steamer to cross the Atlantic, after it's refit. Dated 19th Century

Reproduction of a painting from Jacob Hägg showing line ship Adolf Fredrik in full air.The ship follows another sailing ship visible on the horizon.On the left side you see an island with a lighthouse .. Reproduction of a painting from Jacob Hägg showing line ship Adolf Fredrik in full air.The ship follows another sailing ship visible on the horizon.On the left side you see an island with lighthouse.

THE ROYAL VISIT TO INDIA: THE "SERAPIS " WITH THE PRINCE OF WALES ON BOARD LEAVING BOMBAY HARBOUR, 1876

Engraving of the Mouth of the River Danube in Sulina. Dated 1873

THE DANISH NORT-POLAR EXPEDITION: THE "DJIMPHNA", 1883; LIEUTENANT HOVGAARD, The Commander of the Expedition, HERR AUGUSTIN GAMEL, Who Sent Out the Expedition

Tartane wets view abeam, vintage engraved illustration. Magasin Pittoresque 1842.

Single Frigate, Stern Forward; Albion 20 April 1817, Joseph Cartwright, c.1789-1829, British, 1817, Pen, in gray ink, gray wash and graphite on medium, moderately textured, beige, wove paper, mounted on, moderately thick, slightly textured, beige, wove paper, Mount: 13 9/16 × 16 5/16 inches (34.4 × 41.4 cm) and Sheet: 4 15/16 × 6 1/16 inches (12.5 × 15.4 cm)

The steamship Postdampfer Austria in front of the fire, digitally restored reproduction of an original from the 19th century, exact original date not ...

Merchant marine. The 'Stirling Castle'. English steam clipper, specifically built for importing tea. Drawing by Cortellini Sánchez. Engraving by Capuz. La Ilustración Española y Americana, 1882.

Clipper Ship 'Flying Cloud' E Brown Jr publisher N Currier 1852

Collier on the Thames, 19th century illustration

SUBMARINE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH BETWEEN NEWFOUNDLAND AND CAPE BRETON

'Long-line fishing in the North Sea, Running into Grimsby for repairs', 1886. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper Volume 33. January to June, 1886"

The Dutch Arctic Expedition: schooner Willem Barents sighting Franz Joseph Land, Sept. 7, 1870, (1880). '...a small vessel without steam-power, fitted out by private enterprise, and named after the ancient Dutch explorer Willem Barents...The objects of the expedition were...to examine the state and position of the ice in the Barents and Kara Seas, to take deep-sea soundings with serial temperatures, and thus to supply another important contribution to our knowledge of that interesting region. Magnetic and meteorological observations were also to be taken, and natural history collections to b

Navas de Tolosa (1866). Propeller frigate of 1st class of the Spanish Navy, wooden hull and mixed steam and sail propulsion. It was built in the Arsenal de la Carraca in Cadiz (Spain), being launched on May 10, 1865 and entering service in March 1866. Crossing of the war frigate Navas de Tolosa to the Pacific ports. The ship sailing under a hurricane on October 26, 1882, in waters of the Atlantic Ocean, off Bermuda. Drawing by Cortellini Sanchez. Engraving by Capuz. La Ilustracion Espanola y Americana (The Spanish and American Illustration), 1883.

Engraving depicting a vessel equipped with two masts. Dated 19th Century

A steamer designed to carry a train across the English Channel. Wood engraving.

Pirogue of New Zealand, vintage engraving. Pirogue of New Zealand, vintage engraved illustration. Magasin Pittoresque 1847. Copyright: xZoonar.com/PatrickxGuenettex 10673550

View of Emden, about 1845, historic cityscape, steel engraving created in the 19th century, Lower Saxony, Germany, Europe

Engraving depicting a Bilander, a small European merchant ship with two masts - used in the Netherlands for coast and canal traffic. Dated 19th Century

LAUNCH OF 'THE COWES. (See page 3.)

STEAM PLEASURE YACHT FOR THE KING OF AVA

Fishing for mackeral off Brighton, London, 1835.

Port of St. Thomas in 1869, Antilles Island Saint Thomas, American Virgin Islands, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th century artwork, exact original date unknown

A funeral gondola from Venice on its way to the cemetery island of San Michele, 1860, Italy, Historical, digitally enhanced reproduction from an original from around 1860.

Engraving showing the steam tug 'Anglia' (on left) towing the obelisk ship 'Cleopatra', off Ferrol, 1878. The 'Cleopatra', which was a cylindrical vessel, was built around 'Cleopatra's Needle', an ancient Egyptian obelisk, to transport it from Egypt to London. Date: 26 January 1878

Rotterdam, Groenewegen, Gerrit, Various ships series C, Three-master with flag, verso - stamped, A three-master with flag and figures, sailing to the right. This print is part of a series of twelve prints with various sailing ships., print, prints, height 130 mm, width 154 mm, 1754 - 1826-08-07, print maker, printmaker, 1789 - 1789, paper, papier, etching, etsen

Rescue of a ship in front of the harbour entrance of Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, 1869, England, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original

Pavoisse schooner, wetted, seen by starboard boudoir, vintage engraved illustration. Magasin Pittoresque 1842.

Ships by unknown artist, woodcut, 1848-1849, Private Collection

Sectional illustration of the 'Terra Nova', the Polar research ship used by Captain R.F. Scott in his Antarctic Expedition of 1910-1912. The 'Terra Nova' was built as a Dundee whaler in 1884. Date: 1910

Engraving of a Cutter boat, typically a small, but in some cases a medium-sized, watercraft designed for speed rather than for capacity. Dated 19th Century

Regatta of boats of the Channel Fleet at Lisbon, 1869. Engraving of a sketch by Sub-Lieutenant F. Eardley Wilmot, of H.M.S. Minotaur. 'The fleet lay anchored in two parallel lines, at one end of which lay the Minotaur and H.M.S. Penelope abreast of each other. The course was about a mile and a half long, commencing from a boat anchored off Belem Castle and, lying between the two lines of ships, ended between the Penelope and Minotaur. The sketch, taken from the Minotaur, shows the land on the south side of the river, and the Penelope and Bellerophon at anchor. The Penelope is the ship to the l

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