ROBERT SALMON | A MAN-OF-WAR OF THE RED SQUADRON, DEPARTING THE 'TAIL OF THE BANK' ANCHORAGE ON THE CLYDE

Fosters, where bought by Sir David Scott before 1930 for £30

Sotheby's, Pictures from the Collection of Sir David and Lady Scott, 2008, pp.32-35

The present work shows a 52-gun 4th-rate man-of-war of the Red Squadron departing from the 'Tail of the Bank' anchorage in the upper Firth of Clyde; the 'bank' referring to the shallows in the upper reaches towards Glasgow. At the foremast, the blue flag pierced with white is the Blue Peter, indicating imminent departure. Her main and fore courses are still clewed up, allowing good all-round visibility in confined waters, and the royal yards are being hoisted with some hands still aloft in the rigging. The squadron are clearly underway, as the two distant men-of-war on the right and left of the painting also fly the Blue Peter. The background is typical of Salmon's topographical skill; facing south-east, the busy waterfront near Greenock, in the shelter of the hills, is meticulously painted. A most interesting feature, visible directly under the bowsprit of the central frigate, is a very early steamer, possibly the Comet. The Clyde, with its sheltered waterways, was a natural area to experiment with steam-powered vessels. The Comet, Great Britain's first trading steamer, was built by Henry Bell and launched in 1812, which coincides with Salmon's stay in the area. The steam from this vessel, as well as the chimneys along the waterfront, indicate an easterly wind; favourable conditions for the squadron to make their way to the open sea.