The snow-rigged merchant vessel 'Beaufront' is shown in two positions off Tynemouth, with the ruins of the town’s castle and priory, and to the right of them its lighthouse, on the headland.

The ship appears centrally under sail in starboard broadside view, with her name lettered along the side of the poop. She flies the flag of her name from the main mast, and at the fore a George Cross with the letters ‘S F M S' in the quarters. This must represent one of the first depictions of the flag of the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society (aka Shipwrecked Mariners, founded 1839), which was introduced in 1844. The centre of the cross contains a unique identification number (see AAA0363 for a much later example of the flag, with a crown in place of the numerals).

At the left the ship is shown again in stern view, with a boat in her wake. A similar sized painting by this artist of another snow, ‘Castle Eden’, employing the same composition and Tynemouth backdrop, and also dated 1844, is held by Hartlepool Museums and Heritage Service (HAPMG: 1984.34).

John Scott of South Shields was a well-known ship portraitist in the North-East and it is likely that this fine example of his work was commissioned by 'Beaufront''s owners, Clark & Co, who operated out of Newcastle. Signed and dated 'J. Scott 1844', lower right.

A colour image of this item - mis-titled 'Beaufort' - is available on the Art UK website.