Henry William Frackmann
The Iron Steamer Harlan, Running between New Orleans and Galveston

The Iron Steamer Harlan, Running between New Orleans and Galveston

Public Domain

The Iron Steamer Harlan, Running between New Orleans and Galveston
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • The Iron Steamer Harlan, Running between New Orleans and Galveston
Date1866
PlaceGalveston, Texas, United States
PlaceNew Orleans, Louisiana, United States
MediumWatercolor and ink over graphite on wove paper
DimensionsSheet: 20 1/4 × 35 3/4 in. (51.4 × 90.8 cm)
Frame: 26 1/8 × 41 5/8 in. (66.4 × 105.7 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by the Museum Collectors and Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Fossler
Object numberB.2008.1
Non exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Description

This ship portrait by Henry William Frackmann is among the few 19th-century examples depicting a vessel employed in the American South. The Harlan was one of eight steamships commissioned by Charles Morgan from Harlan and Hollingsworth of Wilmington, Delaware. Launched in 1865, it serviced New Orleans, Galveston, and Indianola until it was destroyed by fire in 1894. In addition to carrying cargo and cattle, the Harlan was instrumental in transporting the European immigrants who were traveling westward to settle the Texas interior. 

One of the ship’s flags with the initials “USM” indicates that the Harlan was contracted to carry the United States mail. Another bears the initial “M” referring to Charles Morgan, the Harlan’s owner. Morgan was instrumental in developing the shipping and passenger trade in the Gulf of Mexico. Beginning in the mid-1850s, he established the initial lines that connected the East Coast with the Gulf ports from Alabama to Mexico.

The legend below the portrait specifies that the Harlan was under the command of Captain Thomas Forbes, a figure who is recognized at Bayou Bend with his silver water pitcher (B.89.7) and a gold-headed walking stick (B.93.27). The legend also lists other members of the ship’s crew beginning with its first officer J. W. Hathorn. The text concludes with the notation that the presentation drawing was made as a gift for his brother, Albert, the owner of a shipbuilding yard in Bath, Maine.


Provenance Research Ongoing Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
l/c margin: "The Iron Steamer HARLAN Captain Thos Forbes \ 1st Office: J. W. Hathorn. Chief Engineer: J. Snyder. Purser A.J. Fullmer. Clerk: J. Cairo. \ RUNNING BETWEEN NEW ORLEANS AND GALVESTON \ Builders: Harlan & Hollingsworth & Co., Wilmington, Del. for Charles Morgan, Esq. of New York \ presented to Albert Hathorn, Esq. by J. W. Hathorn."

l/r below image: "H. W. Frackmann fec. June 1866"

l/r margin: "Machinery. / Diam. of Cyl. 50 inch / Diam. of Paddle Wheels = 28 feet / Face of Bucket 7ft 6inches"

Brass plaque on frame: "THE HARLAN / OF GALVESTON AND NEW ORLEANS / WILLIAM HENRY FRACKMANN / b.1834)"

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

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