“Z.M. stoomschip Curaçao.” [H.M. steamship Curaçao] Etching with aquatint made around 1830 by Willem Hendrik Hoogkamer (1790-1864) after a drawing by Christoffel van der Hart. Size: ca. 31 x 39 cm.

We see the Dutch steam packet boat “Curacao” sailing through still water with reefed sails and steam from the smokestack. The Curacao was the first steamship to cross the Atlantic. Built at Dover in 1825, it was intended to trade between Britain, America and the West Indies for the London Colonial Steam Navigation Company, but after completion in 1826, she was sold to the Dutch and became the first steamship of the Dutch navy. Between 1827 and 1829, the Curacao crossed the Atlantic several times to carry passengers, mail and cargo from Antwerp to the Dutch colony of Curacao. She remained in the Dutch navy until 1848.

The design for this etching was made by Christoffel van der Hart, Lieutenant at Sea 1st class in the Dutch Navy. He served on several ships, including the frigates “Zr.Ms. Prins van Oranje” and “Zr.Ms. Rotterdam”. Van der Hart was involved as a navy officer in the Belgian Revolt of 1830, when the southern provinces of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands seceded and formed the independent state of Belgium.

Price: Euro 425,-