Frederick SCHELL

The mail steamer leaving Auckland 1886
Watercolour
360 x 560 mm
Signed, Illustrated in Australasia Illustrated, Published Sydney 1883-1886
Collection of the Edmiston Trust, New Zealand National Maritime Museum

In the centre of this historic painting we see the PS "Victoria" leaving the wharf with the "Mariposa", flying an American ensign berthed to the right. Passengers are depicted on the paddle steamer and on the wharf.

The paddle steamer "Victoria" was built by Charles Bailey Sen. for the Devonport Steam Ferry Co. Ltd., and was launched in November 1881. Named after Queen Victoria she was the first paddle steamer built for the company. and operated between Devonport and Auckland as a passenger and mail boat.

The new steamer was to be larger and faster than previous vessel, as the company was keen to gain trade from the Auckland and North Shore Steam Ferry Company. Her builders had guaranteed a fast speed and during her trials the "Victoria" achieved a speed of 11 1/4 knots.

"Victoria" was made in 4 1/2 months from keel laying until beginning service. Fitted out with locally made machinery and fittings, the press praised the company's support for local trade. The arrival of larger vessels "Britannia" and "Eagle" a few years later, ended her dominance.

After 26 years of service on the Waitemata there was a campaign to have remove her and other paddle steamers of the same vintage. It was not until 1912 though when her survey certificate expired that she was taken to "Rotten Row" behind Brown's Island and sunk.

FREDERICK SCHELL was born in America in 1838.

In the 1880s he visited New Zealand and Australia to sketch and collect information for a three volume Atlas, "Australasia Illustrated", edited by the Hon. Andrew Garran MA. LLD, MLC and published by Picturesque Atlas Publishing Company, Sydney, 1883-1886. Schell supervised the illustrations undertaken by both colonial and American artists. There are over 800 illustrations in the publication. The image of PS Victoria can be found in volume iii. The Sydney Museum has amongst its collection these paintings that were then engraved for the publication, "Hide Tide" and "Baudi" and numerous sketches of New Zealand and Australia.

Schell died in an accident in Chicago in 1905 .