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Admiral Richard Brydges BEECHEY
Wreck of HMS Orpheus on Manukau Bar, New Zealand, Feb'y 1863 1868
Oil on canvas
972 x 1101 mm
Signed and dated 1868
Collection of the Edmiston Trust, New Zealand National Maritime Museum
The worst wreck in New Zealand waters was that of HMS Orpheus on 7 February
1863 at the Manukau Bar, Auckland. Bringing naval stores across from Sydney,
the sea conditions at the time were favourable for a safe crossing of the bar,
but the captain entered the wrong channel when approaching the harbour. The
ship stuck fast on a sandbar, and breaking waves destroyed her. Of the 259
naval officers and men aboard, 189 died, including the captain. This is the
greatest loss of life of any New Zealand maritime disaster.
The wreck made news in The Illustrated London News, Supplement, on 14 April
1863, which also noted, "the forthcoming inquiry into the causes of the
loss of the Orpheus will be looked for with great interest, and it is hoped
that the causes of this sad disaster will receive a searching and impartial
investigation."
Beechey painted the scene in England seven months after the wreck occurred.
At the New Zealand National Maritime Museum you can view the painting,
artefacts from the wreck and a recent documentary made about this sailing
disaster.
RICHARD BRYDGES BEECHEY (1808 - 1895) was an Anglo-Irish painter and Admiral
in the Royal Navy.
The son of British painter, Sir William Beechey (1753-1839) and Frideswide
Smyth of Portlick Castle, Richard was a celebrated marine painter. His brother
was the famed British sea captain Frederick William Beechey. At fourteen years
of age Richard Beechey joined the Royal Navy, in time rising to the rank of
admiral. Like his father he would illustrate various ports and naval scenes.
After his retirement from the Navy he devoted himself to painting, exhibiting
often at the Royal Academy in London.
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