A ROYAL LAUNCH AT DEPTFORD
A Ship Between Land and Sea
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On September 26, 1771, HMS Grafton was launched at the Royal Dockyard at Deptford on the River Thames. The painting’s long title records that King George III and Queen Charlotte were present. Cleveley turns the launch into both a celebration and a working view of Britain’s most important naval dockyard.
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The Royal Dockyard at Deptford, one of the Royal Navy's most important installations. Hundreds of ships were built or repaired here at the yard just south of central London on the River Thames. From a 1794 painting by Joseph Farrington
This 1755 painting by John Cleveley Sr. depicts the HMS Cambridge, being launched from Deptford's Great Dock. Anchored in the river is the HMS Royal George, surrounded by numerous spectator boats and one of the royal yachts. Note that Cambridge. left, is flying the same set of flags as the two ships in Waikoloa's Cleveley painting.
Look at the Waikoloa painting. The vessel closest to us has entered the water but is not yet ready for sea. It lacks the masts, rigging, stores, crew, and equipment that will complete it. Small boats gather around the hull to control and move a massive object that has just left the slipway. Flags supply color and ceremony while the unfinished hull displays the shipwright’s work.
A painting of an important event - a connection to Hawaii, and a great mystery
THE STORY
We've selected some of the most distinctive, asked-about, or culturally significant pieces from the collection to highlight on a walk of discovery. The stories of these objects are told in layers. You can skim the surface or go as far as your interest takes you. Included on the route which takes you the length of the Museum Walkway, are 2,000 year old sculptures from tombs in China, sacred artifacts from Polynesia, and a painting by an artist connected to the death of explorer Captain James Cook, here on Hawaii's Kona Coast. Each object also connects to another experience or activity on the Walkway, giving you a chance to learn and discover even more about the items that stir your curiousity.artifactsartifactslkway, are 2,000 year old sculptures from tombs in China, sacred artifacts from Polynesia, and a painting by an artist connected to the death of explorer Captain James Cook, here on Hawaii's Kona Coast. Each object also connects to another experience or activity on the Walkway, giving you a chance to learn
This detail from the Cambridge launching shows the crowd onshore and the mass of boats in the river.
Deptford also built ships for the British East India Company.
All types of vessels were launched with fanfare at Deptford. This is the Royal Yacht Charlotte, about to enter the water. Note the smaller flags in the same pattern
