The wreck of the 'Thomas', off the Stony Binks, 8th June, 1821
This picture is generally thought to be one of Ward's earliest surviving works due to its dramatic treatment of the subject and reliance on the 18th century tradition of English marine painting. Unlike the succeeding generation of painters, Ward was not interested in making romantic views of the sea and rarely painted the dangers of seafaring. A hand-written label on the reverse of the canvas explains: "This painting represents the transport ship Thomas, Capt. Dysart bound out to St. Helena with troops aground on the Stony Binks, near to Spurn Point at day break on the morning of June the 8th 1821. The lifeboat in the act of taking out the soldiers and crew - and putting them aboard the Bee, Cutter. Except a soldiers [sic] wife who was washed overboard. The gale increasing the ship beat to pieces and became a total wreck." The 'Thomas' was actually coming to Hull to take on troops intended for duty at St. Helena guarding the Emperor Napoleon, who had in fact died on the 5th May, but the news had not yet reached Britain. Clearly visible is Spurn Point with Smeaton's high and low lights. The 'Thomas' flies her red ensign upside down as a signal of distress.
