A portrait of the clipper ‘Ellen Rodger’, shown broadside-on. The ship was owned by Scottish sea captain Alexander Rodger (1801-77) who made money speculating on the Australian gold rush. On his return he was convinced that fast clipper ships had great advantages in the China tea trade and by 1855 was part owner of the ‘Kate Carnie’ the first clipper ship built by Robert Steele & Co, of Greenock. Their next ship was the ‘Ellen Rodger’ built in 1858 and named after Captain Rodger’s wife. This clipper was a full-rigged wooden clipper ship of 585 tons. She was employed in the China tea trade, sailing regularly to Foochow and Shanghai.

In this portrait flags are curiously absent which may imply some later conservation work which has painted them out. Other shipping can be seen in the distance. On 20 September 1866 she was wrecked on the Belvidere Reef, Gaspar Strait, on a voyage to London and her hull was sold for £700.

The painting is signed and dated in red ‘G.R. Barr 1858’.