The Miniature Ship “Red, White, and Blue,” 1866

The Red, White, and Blue, a boat that was just 26 feet long, made an epic journey from Sandy Hook, New Jersey to the English Channel in an amazing 35 days in 1866. The boat was a combination of old and new technology and possessed a modern galvanized hull to prevent corrosion but still carried a traditional 3-masted square rigger. The trip was conceived by New York boat builder, O.K. Ingersoll, an inventor of all-metal lifeboats who thought that the journey would attract publicity. The words, “Ingersoll’s Improved Metallic Life Boat” was written across the hull of the Red, White, and Blue. Skeptics did not believe that such a small ship, though manned by professional sailors, could make the trans-Atlantic journey in such a brief time. The sailors, Captain Hudson and Fitch (and their dog!), were not successful in proving that they made the trip without assistance and were discredited. Later, after scholars reviewed the logs, the weather and sightings, the sailors were vindicated and the journey stands as one of the most impressive of the 19th century.

oil, 11"x 14"

$5,000