American School, 19th Century)

painted circa 1885; in period matching gilt frames.

Walters-Benisek, Northampton, Massachusetts
Pam Boynton, Groton, Massachusetts

The first canvas depicting three sailing ships, two with American flags, a steamer ship and two light houses, one in Cape May, the other on the Delaware shore; the second depicting the Cape May Life Saving Station of 1883, and a sailing ship in extremis. A rescue team on the shore is removing sailors from the sinking vessel by way of a "breech's buoy;" the signal flags on the flagpole and upside-down American flag on the ship signify "distress."