A painting showing the passenger steamship ‘Adriatic’ as it is sailing out of Liverpool. She is accompanied by a tug, a small sailing boat moves past her on the far right. Other ships can be seen alongside in the distance and the buildings of Liverpool are visible.

The ‘Adriatic’ was built in 1872 at Belfast by Harland and Wolff. She was of the Oceanic class, and travelled between Liverpool and New York 1872-1899. She had four masts, and her hull, framework, masts, yards, decks, and whole ship, except the floors and furniture, were made of iron. Over the forepart of the ship a vast iron hurricane-deck was constructed, which not only prevented the waves of a storm washing over the main-deck, but also added to the strength of the vessel. The ship could accommodate 1150 passengers and she was fitted for gas, generated by oil, in place of candles and oil-lamps. She was broken up in 1899.

The painting is signed ‘P. Greenwood 1889’.