William Minshall Birchall (1884-1941) - SS Ruahine passing Cape Horn

The SS Ruahine was an ocean liner and refrigerated cargo ship that served the New Zealand Shipping Company between 1909 and 1949. It was a UK built ship and had a capacity of roughly 500 passengers. This watercolour by Birchall depicts the vessel passing Cape Horn which is the southernmost tip of South America on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. The artist has included snow/ice on the rocky coastline.
 
Birchall was born in America before his parents emigrated to England at young age. He is known for his highly realistic seascapes of merchant and naval shipping. This watercolour is an excellent example of his work.
 
Medium: watercolour on paper, inscribed and signed l.l. '"Ruahine" passing Cape Horn, WM Birchall 1938', 31 x 43cm, framed (54.5 x 65.5cm).
 
Condition report: generally in very good condition with fresh colours. There are a square marks in the upper left and right corners probably from a previous mount hinge. The frame shows a small amount of wear.