Reefing the mainsail RMG BHC1537

Reefing the mainsail
Oil painting, representing a deck view from the starboard quarter of working early 20th-century gaff-rigged ketch or schooner (lower sails only shown) beating to windward on the port tack in a heavy sea. Two crew members are shown on deck shortening sail, using roller-reefing, with sea coming inboard over the lee rail. It was presented to the Museum in 1966 by Basil Greenhill, who from the start of 1967 to 1983 was its third Director. Nothing more is currently known of the artist, though a John D. G. Bennett was a lay (non-exhibiting) member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists in the later 1980s. [PvdM 6/12]

Reefing the mainsall