Sea History 082 - Autumn 1997

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The Sea World of Christopher Blossom by Dawna Daniel Above: Port Blakely, on Bainbridge Island, Puget Sound, saw its first mill fo unded in 1863 and provided lumber to ships from all parts of the world. Here, it is late afternoon in !903 and the British steel ship Ardnamu rchan is warping in to very tight quarters. Today al/ that remains are a f ew rolling pilings and a deserted harbor overgrown with tall Douglas f irs. "Warping In," oil on can vas, 22 x 38 inches.

Th e Vesta, built at Gloucester in 1899 , is an excellent example of the sloops of th e tim e, and was probably built by the Bishop Brothers at Vincent' s Co ve. As fitted out here , she was used in the inshore fish eries, dory trawling. It is late aft ernoon and, with a full far e, Vesta heads home, while the crew on deck enjoy a mug up and a bit of a gam.. "Mug Up Aboard Vesta," oil on can vas, J 8 x 40 inches.

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he lazy sway of marsh grass, smell of salt air and refreshing breezes off Long Island Sound near Christopher Blossom 's home proved an appropri ate setting for our interview with one of America ' s fo remost marine artists. The boat in the fro nt yard di spelled any uncertainty about the artist 's address, and we were soon greeted by Blossom, a yo ung fa mily man in a T-s hirt and jeans. After a cup of coffee, we took

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SEA HISTORY 82, AUT UMN 1997


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