The brig 'Ruby', the barque 'Wanderer' and the snow 'Garnet' off Hull
This is a good example of Ward's later style where he was becoming even more precise in his recording of marine detail. All three vessels were owned by the firm of Priest and Son and sailed under the command of various members of the family. Each flies a pennant from the main mast. From left to right they are: The brig 'Ruby', built at Southtown, Yarmouth by Francis Holmes in 1825 for the grocer William Lambert and the shipowner William Priest. She served in the Baltic Trade and was lost in 1854; the barque 'Wanderer', built in 1844 at Sunderland for William Priest and Johann Heinrich Fredricks of Lancaster. She sailed in general trade, and under the command of John Priest she voyaged to Hong Kong in 1846. She was lost in 1853; the snow 'Garnet', built at Sculcoates by Thomas Mason in 1830. She went off register in 1850. This canvas must have been painted between 1844, the year the 'Wanderer' was launched, and 1849 when Ward died.
