..... " .... . . . ..
•
Steamboat historians suggest that this is an actual event, although some versions assign the heroic ice-breaking f eat to the Norwich in the distant background. The vessel, officially registered as the Robert L. Stevens, was dismantled in 1861, while the hardy Norwich labored into the 20th century. "R.L. Stevens " by J. & J . Bard, ca. 1835, watercolor, 17 3/4 x 32 inches. Courtesy, The Mariners' Museum.
' Some of the paintings done in the years when both brothers were painting were signed "J. & J. Bard" (see above). This example is signed "las. Bard." None have been found signed by John alone. The Telegraph was built for John S. Odell of Tarrytown, New York, to run on a New York to Sing Sing (Ossining) route. Samuel Morse' sfirst telegraph was being developed at the time, and while most steamboat names commemorated famous people, Telegraph was named for an invention. "Telegraph ," by James Bard, 1837, watercolor, 18 3/4 x 32 1Is inches. Courtesy, The Mariners' Museum.
SEA HISTORY 80, WINTER 1996-97
25