Vintage Steamships

Illustrations of historic steamships and sailing vessels from the 19th century, showcasing maritime exploration.

Traditional whale fishing in the 19th century. Old XIX century engraved illustration, El Mundo Ilustrado 1881

THE UNITED STATES EXPEDITION TO JAPAN: THE STEAM.FRIGATE 'MISSISSIPPI,' UNITED STATES NAVY, 1853

ICEBOUND IN THE BALTIC: THE STEAMER "WEST STANLEY" AFTER A WESTERLY GALE, 1881

The Goliath and the Widgeon laying the first submarine cable between dover and Calais 1850.

THE MISSING TRAINING SHIP, ATALANTA, 1880

MONTREAL, THE LONGUEUIL FERRY, CANADA, NINETEENTH CENTURY ENGRAVING

The SS Great Britain, I.K. Brunels great steamship, laying the Atlantic Telegraph Cablef1865-1866. Engraving, London, 1880.

THE GREAT GALE AND SNOW STORM

The John O'Gaunt "settling down", 1844. Explosion of a ship at Brighton by Captain Warner who '...put to the test his alleged power of destroying ships at sea, completely and instantaneously...an immense cloud, seemingly of smoke of an unusually white complexion, but really of spray, was seen to ascend from the vessel the John of Gaunt...she seemed to be enveloped in a cloud of smoke...the main and mizen masts were seen to fall over the vessel into the sea. A few seconds more, and a rumbling sort of noise, which it is difficult to describe, was heard to proceed from the ship, and e

Frigate "Blanca" of the Spanish Navy aimed at a voyage of circumnavigation. Engraving by Capuz in "The Spanish and American Illustration, " 1886.

Traditional whale fishing in the 19th century. Old XIX century engraved illustration, El Mundo Ilustrado 1881

Dispatch vessel HMS 'Iris', c1880. Artist: Unknown

Swedish frigate Eugenie, etching by Nils Elias Anckers

Ships, UK, 19th century

Roman Trireme. Engraving by Serra. Museo Militar, 1883.

Chinese Pirate-boat at Canton - from a drawing by a Chinese artist, 1857. 'The river swarms with pirates...and they carry on their depredations unchecked in the very teeth of the forts...The pirate vessels and boats are peculiarly constructed, being remarkably fast. The crews are numerous, and the vessels are fully armed with guns, swivels, matchlocks, spears, boarding-pikes, and other weapons of an offensive description...As soon as they get within reach of their victims, they throw on board the doomed vessel a large quantity of fire-balls, so prepared as to produce an intolerable and most of

Engraving showing the steamship 'Viceroy' at anchor in Galway Bay, prior to its maiden voyage from Ireland to New York, 1850. Date: 1850

The Peninsular and Oriental Navigation Company's New Steam-ship "Pera", 1856. 'This fine screw steam-ship, which was built by Messrs. Mare, of Blackwall, from designs by Mr. James Ash, made an official trial of her speed over the measured mile in Stokes Bay...her fine lines, when compared with her breadth of beam, have caused her, for power in comparison with tonnage, to be under steam one of the fastest screw-vessels afloat...The engines during the trial averaged 33 revolutions, or 66 entire turns of the screw, per minute. The wind was blowing strong from the south-south-west, and a

ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON REGATTA: RACE FOR THE TOWN CUP: THE PRINCE OF WALES'S YACHT 'HILDEGARDE' ROUNDING THE FLAG-BOAT AT THE LEPE BUOY

Sailing ships of the Anglo-Saxon period, Anglo-Saxons, shipping, sea, transport, traffic, sails set, wooden boats, mast, birds, people, bow figure, monster, water reflection, England, Great Britain, steel engraving, historical illustration 1842

The SS Vega trapped in the ice. Arctic, Russia. The Voyage of La Vega through Asia and Europe by Adolf Erik Nordenskiold 1879-1880, Le Tour du Monde 1882

Engraving of an iron steamer 'Jeanie'. Dated 19th Century

An engraving depicting a White Star Line iron clipper 'Tayleur' launched from the Bank Quay Foundry Co's yard at Warrington on the Mersey River. Dated 19th century

The ship Agamemnon at anchor off Greenwich before setting off to lay the telegraph cable across the Atlantic from Ireland to Canada. Wood engraving by F.J. Smyth, 1857, after E. Weedon.

H.M.S. Erebus and Terror Leaving for discovery of North-West Passage

H.M.S. Racer aground on Ryde Sands, Isle of Wight, 1871. 'The naval training-ship Racer, which ran aground on Ryde Sands, a quarter of a mile east of the head of Ryde Harbour Pier, at half-past eleven in the morning, was towed off at eight o'clock in the evening by a Portsmouth steam-tug...She had sailed past Ryde Pier from the westward. There was only a very slight breeze blowing from a northerly direction, and she had spread every inch of available canvas, and was making the best of what little wind there was...The tide was ebbing rapidly. After passing the pier she fell in with a strong c

SS Great Britain c1843. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859), she was built for the transatlantic passenger trade. In the event, she made most of her voyages on the Australian run. Launched on 19 July 1843, she was the first ocean-going vessel with a screw propeller and an iron hull. This shows her in her original state with six masts.

Engraving showing the American Clipper ship, 'Witch of the Wave', Thames Estuary, 1852. This ship, commanded by Captain Millett, brought a large cargo of tea from Canton to London, in a little under four months in 1852. Date: 1852

THE LIVERPOOL TRAINING SHIP 'INDEFATIGABLE', UK, 1866

Cod Fishing in the UK in the 1840s

HER MAJESTY'S RIVER STEAMER, 'FAIRY'

Engraving of a Galleon, a sailing ship originally used as a warship and then later for trade. Dated 19th Century

Confederate Steamer Georgia during the American Civil War

Engraving showing the Canterbury Association Ships, 'Bangalore', 'Dominion', 'Duke of Portland', 'Lady Nugent', 'Midlothian' and 'Canterbury', in the East India Docks, London, 1851. These ships carried British emigrants on the long voyage to Canterbury, New Zealand. Date: 1851

VESSELS PASSING THE BAR AT THE ROSETTA MOUTH OF THE NILE

"The Lowestoft Herring Fishery" - drawn by E. Duncan, 1854. Fishing boats on the Norfolk coast, illustration to a sea shanty. "Who'll buy herrings Fresh and sound Who'll buy herrings By the pound By the pound - Or by the ton - Fine fresh herrings Every one! Who'll buy herrings Newly caught - Half a hundred For a groat Fresh, they're wholesome - Salted, fine - Good to breakfast, Or to dine ! Who'll buy herrings Here's to spare - Frugal dainties, Poor men's fare - Thanks to Heaven, For bounties free, Thanks for herrings In the sea!"' From "Illustrated London News

Straetvarder in the 17th century, merchant ship from Holland, digitally restored reproduction of an original from the 19th century, exact original date not known

H.M.S. "Colossus", with the Gun-Boat Flotilla, leaving the Motherbank for Portland, 1856. Warships of the Royal Navy off the coast at Portsmouth: '...the Colossus, 81 guns, Captain the Hon. Henry Keppel, C.B., with gun boats of the red and white division...the gunboat squadron (comprising between twenty and thirty four and two gun steam-vessels) weighed in two columns, following the Colossus, and proceeded towards the westward to join the blue and light divisions of gunboats...at Portland'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.

H.M. Steamer "Rifleman", in Chase of a Brazilian Slaver, 1850. Royal Navy ship pursuing a slave ship '...the brig was observed by the Rifleman, steering away for the land. Chase was immediately made, which was continued for a long time; but, owing to the brig's good sailing qualities, and being about seven miles to windward, she, very unfortunately, by the aid of the squall to windward, made her escape, and landed 500 blacks to the northward of Cape Frio ten days after. This was, however, the first instance of a vessel escaping when once observed by the Rifleman. The slaver was suppo

Royalty on Tour Arrival of HMS Serapis in Bombay Harbour Bombay Mumbai Maharashtra India Copyright: xJehangirxSorabjee/DinodiaxPhotox

Casting Tea Overboard in Boston Harbor - Boston Tea Party

Steam ship 'Deutschland' wrecked on the sandbank off the Thames Estuary known as the Kentish Knock during a storm on the night of 6th to 7th December 1875. Among those on board who were lost were five Franciscan nuns, refugees from Germany's anti-Catholic Falk Laws. The English Jesuit poet Gerard commemorated the event in his poem 'The Wreck of the Deutschland' (1876). Engraving from 'The Sea' by F Whymper (London, c1890).

'H.M.S. 'Challenger', commissioned for her four years' cruise on Deep Sea Exploration, 1872', (1901). 'Challenger', a steam-assisted warship of the Royal Navy, was used for the Challenger Expedition of 1872-1876, a British scientific mission which took naturalists and oceanographers on a grand tour of the world, covering 68,000 nautical miles (125,936 km). The crew collected samples and was the first to sound the deepest part of the ocean, laying the foundation of oceanography as a science. From "The Illustrated London News Record of the Glorious Reign of Queen Victoria 1837-1901: The Lif

BARKING FISHING BOATS

transport / transportation, navigation, sailing ships, caravel, caravel from the 15th century, wood engraving, 19th century,

OPENING OF THE NEW GRAVING-DOCK AT BELFAST BY THE LORD LIEUTENANT OF IRELAND, 1867

The steam-ship Chicago stranded on a reef of rocks off Cork Harbour, 1868. Cargo ship wrecked on the route between Liverpool and New York, was wrecked by running upon a reef of rocks...A thick fog had come on when the ship neared the Irish coast...the captain observed the surf, indicating the presence of hidden rocks, and ordered the engines to be reversed at full speed. The order was at once obeyed; but...she struck...very heavily, shaking every part of her and causing terrible alarm...The engine-room was quickly filled with water, which forced its way through a large hole made by the rock.

An engraving depicting a wind chariot - R is the rudder. The wheelbase had to be wider than for a horse-drawn chariot of the same size to prevent the vehicle overturning. Dated 19th century

Engraving of the White Star Line Iron Clipper 'Tayleur', being launched from the Bank Quay Foundry Co.'s Yard, Mersey. Dated 19th Century

São Gabriel, the Flagship of Vasco da Gama, c. 1460s 1524, Portuguese explorer, digitally edited São Gabriel, the Flagship of Vasco da Gama, c. 1460s 1524, Portuguese explorer, digitally edited Copyright: xZoonar.com/Heinz-DieterxFalkensteinx 21660703

Antarctic exploration illustrated in 'Voyage au pole sud et dans l'Oceanie.' The French ship L'Astrolabe stuck in ice 1842

Shipwreck, sinking of the ship Grand Duke Alexander of Russia, off the coast of Jutland, 1869, Denmark, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of a...

Sailing clipper Date: 1852

Travel and transport famine in Bengal grain boats on Ganges India Copyright: xJehangirxSorabjee/DinodiaxPhotox

Felucca sailboats on River Nile and the pyramids of Giza in the background, Cairo. Ancient Egypt History. Old 19th century engraved illustration from El Mundo Ilustrado 1879

Taugh-a-Ballagh, Expedition Ship to Central Africa, 1869, France, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th-century artwork, exact...

Wood and Iron. The steam ship HMS 'Warrior' the first ironclad warship in the British navy, launched in 1861, and one of the old wooden sailing vessels. Chromolithograph from 'The Leisure Hour' (London, 1864).

Illustration depicting the raising of the barque 'Samuel' in the Thames near Gravesend. Dated 19th Century

The Steam-Brig "Governole", built for the Sardinian Government, 1850. The ship was built by '...Mr. Pitcher, at Northfleet-yard London; and the engines were manufactured by Messrs. Maudslay, Sons, and Field, of Lambeth...she carries twelve 68-pounder broadside guns, of 65 cwt. each, and two 8-inch pivot guns of 95 cwt., being, as we are informed, a more powerful aimament than that of any other steam-vessel of the same class afloat. The engines are of the combined power of 450 horses...The Governole has been constructed in the best manner, and was equipped under the personal superin

Oyster dredging in Whitstable Bay.

The Sovereign of the Seas, English vessel, 1650, vintage engraving. The Sovereign of the Seas, English vessel, 1650, vintage engraved illustration. Colorful History of England, 1837. Copyright: xZoonar.com/PatrickxGuenettex 10656220

Tjaken, Tjalk, a single-masted sailing ship in the Wadden Sea for transporting goods in shallow waters, coast, horse-drawn carts, baskets, people working, East Frisia, West Frisia, historical illustration 1880

THE NEW INDIAN TELEGRAPH-SHIP PATRICK STEWART, 1879

Engraving depicting the American tea clipper 'Ariel' . Dated 19th Century

BARGE FOR CONVEYING INVALIDS TO HASLAR AND NETLEY HOSPITALS, 1866

Launch of the screw line-of-battle ship 'Anson' at Woolwich.

Massachusetts - Annisquam Harbor. The Boston Light. Annisquam Harbor, Massachusetts.

Boston Regatta, the "Waterwitch", Winner of the Cup, off Frieston Shore, 1856. Sailing race off the Lincolnshire coast. 'At starting the Magic, having the windward side, was the first to take the lead, followed in quick succession by the Waterwitch...Mr R Thorpe...the yachts had reached Elbow Buoy, the Waterwitch leading followed with scarcely the interval of a boat's length by the Magic and the Kitten...Squaresails...and other fly-away gear were "doused," and each yacht was reduced to its legitimate canvas mainsail, gib, foresail, and gaff. As the yachts neared the Skull

Illustration depicting a steam-boat collision in Dover. Dated 19th Century

Engraving of the Aberdeen clipper 'James Booth' built by Alexander Duthie & Co. for the Aberdeen/Calcutta run. Dated 19th Century

H.M.S. Victory at sea

Steamboat trapped in ice on the coast of Denmark, 1869, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th century painting, exact original date unknown

PURSUIT OF A CHINESE PIRATE BY THE BOATS OF H.M.S. 'RACEHORSE,' IN PINGHAI BAY

The Pirate Ship Alabama, alias 290, during the American Civil War

The steamship Emperatriz Eugenia. The Transatlantic Company. Engraving by Leducy. Litography.

Underwater lighting project on board armored ships. Old 19th century engraving from La Nature 1887

Pytheas, a Greek geographer and explorer from the Greek colony Massalia (modern day Marseilles) commands a large trireme, travelling around a large part of modern day Britain. Date: 4th Century B.C.

"Navas de Tolosa" (1866). Propeller frigate of 1st class of the Spanish Navy, wooden hull and mixed steam and sail propulsion. It was built in the Arsenal de la Carraca in Cadiz (Spain), being launched on May 10, 1865 and entering service in March 1866. Crossing of the war frigate "Navas de Tolosa" to the Pacific ports. The ship sailing under a hurricane on October 26, 1882, in waters of the Atlantic Ocean, off Bermuda. Drawing by Cortellini Sánchez. Engraving by Capuz. La Ilustración Española y Americana (The Spanish and American Illustration), 1883. Author: Ángel Cortellini Sánchez (1858-1912). Spanish painter. Tomás Carlos Capuz (1834-1899). Spanish engraver.

An engraving depicting a Greenland whaler entering Hull. Dated 19th century

'The Royal George', 1756. The English warship 'HMS Royal George', built at Woolwich Dockyard in London, was launched on 18 February 1756. The largest warship in the world at the time, the 'George' sank on 29 August 1782 during routine maintenance while anchored off Portsmouth. More than 800 lives were lost, one of the most serious maritime losses to occur in British waters. Engraved for the General Magazine of Arts & Sciences for W Owen at Temple Bar London, 1756

Malay ship of the 16th Century

Slave Ship from Africa Woodcut print Artist Unknown

Engraving depicting a wine boat used to carry cases of wine. Dated 19th Century

The caravel Santa Maria of Christof Columbus in 1492 on his way to America, Historical, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original

Quiche was the anchor, sails dry, vintage engraving. Quiche was the anchor, sails dry, vintage engraved illustration. Magasin Pittoresque 1842. Copyright: xZoonar.com/PatrickxGuenettex 10660383

Engraving depicting the port of Hull, Yorkshire, showing the north bridge.

American navy corvette under sail, early 19th century. After a print by Willem Hendrik Hoogkamer from a drawing by Lieutenant van der Hart.

Europe. Medieval period. French vessel. 12th century. Engraving.

Scene on the River Thames at Gravesend prior to the transatlantic crossing of the emigrant steam ship 'Tiverton', 1884. Date: 1884

The French Transatlantic Company's steamship 'Amerique' towed into Plymouth by tugs Date: 1874

Scottish engineer Henry Bells (1767-1830) steamboat Comet, 1812, which carried passengers on the Clyde between Glasgow and Greenock. Engraving, London, c1890.

Second German North Polar Expedition, scientific voyage of discovery with the ships Germania and Hansa inspired by the geographer August Petermann. Th...

The steam schooner Fox under the direction of Leopold McClintock (1786-1847) and the men of his expedition in the Arctic, in Bellot Strait. Story of Franklin's lost expedition in the Arctic (1786-1847) Old 19th century engraving from Le Tour du Monde 1860

The 'Comet', the first English steamboat, built by Henry Bell in 1812

HMS 'Beagle', the ship in which Charles Darwin sailed, approaching Mauritius Date: 1836

An engraving depicting the English steamer 'Bellenden' arriving in Dunkirk with a cargo of cattle from the Argentine. Dated 19th century

Engraving showing the French Trans-Atlantic Company's steamship 'Amerique', which was one of the quickest trans-atlantic steamers of the time, 1874. Date: 1874

THE SCREW CLIPPER YACHT GAZELLE

'Floating Dock, Deptford (1820)', (c1878). Creator: Unknown.

Illustration of a small boat by William Smith (1843-1929). Dated 19th Century

'Victoria and Albert' the first steam-driven royal yacht. Queen Victoria being cheered as yacht carries her to naval review at Spithead. Baxter needlebox print c1855. Oleograph

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