Today I am adding one of the older paintings with title “The Island Home”, size 25inches x 16 inches, oil on canvas, painted as commission for collector who loved Islands and steamboats connecting with Main Land. The “Island Home” was a sidewheel steamer operating by Nantucket and Cape Cod Steamboat Co. as a ferry serving the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket during the second half of the nineteenth century (1855 to 1895/6).Small oval portrait in right upper part of painting is a miniature of Captain Nathan H.Manter, wearing his familiar derby hat and earring who commanded the “Island Home” from 1860 until his retirement 1891. He was well liked and much respected for his seamanship. In September 1870, the Navy frigate “Guerriere”, carrying the remains of famous Admiral David Farragut ran ashore off Nantucket.”Island Home was used to help refloat the frigate, as well as carry the Admiral’s remains to Hyannis and a connecting train for New York. “Island Home” thus became the last boat in which Admiral Farragut rode, although he was not available for subsequent comment.
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