Hull Docks with the barque 'Edward' and the snow 'William'
The barque 'Edward' was built at Scarborough in 1821 for William and Bartholomew Fowler Sutton. It sailed to Stockholm and other North Sea ports under the command of various members of the family and was last heard of in 1855. The 'William' was jointly owned by George Fowler Sutton, master mariner, Johnson Staniforth, and William Fowler Sutton. She also traded across the North Sea. Originally a Hull vessel, she was re-registered in 1838 and lost five years later. Paintings like this were usually commissioned by the owners or masters of the vessels. It is believed that this picture was painted for William Fowler Sutton. At some stage in its history the painting has been cut down owing to damage to the lower edge of the canvas.
