WILLIAM JOHN HUGGINS (1781-1845) A VIEW OF THE THAMES EAST-INDIAMAN, BEACHED AT EASTBOURNE, 1822

sepia washes with pencil 21.0 x 30.5 cm / 8 1/4 x 12 in unframed, mounted

The 'Thames' East-Indiaman was driven ashore on its journey to China and Bombay, from London, on Sunday 3rd February 1822. The cargo was removed without loss by an agent of Lloyd's, and the ship remained beached until the 22nd. A large crowd of several thousand spectators came to cheer when the ship was put out to sea again. This view shows the ship being unloaded, with two martello towers (possibly nos. 71 & 70) and Langley in the far distance. Huggins was a marine painter who spent his early life in the service of the East India Company at sea. He retained close links with the company after leaving them, and was regularly employed to paint their ships. He was also a marine painter to their majesties George IV and William IV. He painted a larger version of this scene in watercolours which was sold at Christie's, London, British & Continental Watercolours, 23.03.2005, Lot 275.