WILLIAM LYON (ELSAGORT) PORTRAIT OF JOHN SCOTT RUSSELL, NAVAL ARCHITECT

watercolour on paper



bears descriptive label on reverse

"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"John Scott Russell (1808-82) was a famous
engineer, naval architect and shipbuilder. Born in Glasgow, he
soon abandoned plans to join the ministry for a career in
engineering. His first invention - a steam carriage - was initially
successful, but his enterprise as a steam-coach operator came
to an end in 1834, when four people were killed in one of his
carriages. One of his next contracts was with the Union Canal
at Hermiston, Edinburgh, where he developed means of
reducing the drag on canal boats. It was during this period that
he noticed the phenomenon of the solitary wave. A canal boat
stopped suddenly, causing a single wave to set off down the
canal. Russell followed the wave on horseback for several miles
before it dissipated. Although the significance of his observation
is now attracting attention in the areas of optoelectronics and
telecommunications, Russell applied his observations to the
redesign of ships' hulls, providing shipbuilders with their first
scientific guide in the pursuit of speed. Scott Russell went on to
an eventful career in engineering, founding the Institution of
Naval Architects. As a noted designer and builder of iron ships
on the River Thames, he gained the contract to build Brunel's
'Great Eastern', by far the largest ship of its time"

from www.portcities.org.uk