A Carved, Painted and Gilded Relief Carved Panel: The Launch of the Three-Masted Schooner, Richard S. Spofford, American, Late 19th/Early 20th Century

the rectangular panel in a deep carved and molded frame, with relief carved locomotive, smoke stack and factory buildings, the schooner in the half-round, man on cart with horses carved in full.

The Richard S. Spofford was a three-masted, 488-ton, centerboard schooner out of Boston, which sailed for Darien, Georgia a week before Christmas, 1894, loaded with stone ballast. The Captain was Roger Hawes.

The Richard S. Spofford ran aground in severe weather along the Outer Banks of North Carolina, near the village of Ocranoke, December 26, 1894. It was more than two days before rescuers were able to reach the ship – by that time the captain, steward and third crew member clung to the bowsprit, the only part of the wreck that was clear of the breakers.

The ship was a total loss – Captain Hawes sold what remained of her riggings and ship's furniture on the beach of Ocranoke before returning to Boston.

This account has been condensed and excerpted from Bobbrooke.com/shipwreckbook.