In this fine ship portrait by S.H. Wilson the artist is depicting the same vessel in three positions. On the left is a starboard quarter view of ECLIPSE under full sail beating to weather. To the right we see her from the port bow running before the wind with stuns’ls set.

The central portrait is from the starboard beam as she clews up her main and fore courses preparing to rendezvous with Pilot Cutter #2 approaching on her port bow. It is interesting to note that all three views of the vessel are correct in regard to the ship’s relationship to the prevailing wind and sea conditions, emphasizing Wilson’s strong knowledge of the way of ships and the sea.

The 329-ton iron hulled ECLIPSE was built in 1849 for Beedle and Company. She measured 116′ length overall with a beam of 24.8′. In 1860 she was purchased by G.T. Lawrence of Hull and was used mainly on the Mediterranean trade routes. She was still afloat into the 1880s.