Pass of Melfort

The 'Pass of Melfort', Official Number 98683, 2346 tons gross, built by Fairfield Shipbuilding Co., Glasgow, 1891. The ship was one of five four-masted barques built for and owned by the small Glasgow shipping firm of Gibson & Clark, whose house flag the 'Pass of Melfort' is flying in this picture, as are its call letters, MKNL. The ship served mainly on runs from the UK to India, Australia and the US. It stranded on the west coast of Vancouver Island in 1905 and was lost with all hands including one woman, the captain's wife.

Lai Fong (Indian-Chinese, active c. 1887-1910) worked and lived in Calcutta, where he was the leading pierhead painter. He is known for a large number of big portraits of sailing vessels from all over the world in oil on canvas.