Penola_seapainting jack woods marine art

Penola

Painting – Oil on Linen Board
60 x 45cm

The painting shows the topsail schooner Penola motoring off Adelaide Island, Graham Land, Antarctica, during the 1934-37 expedition which was led by John Rymill from Penola in South Australia.

The expedition is described in detail in the publication “Southern Lights- The Official Account of the British Graham Land Expedition 1934-1937 by John Rymill. The expedition surveyed over 1000km of previously unexplored coastline and established that Graham Land was part of the Antarctic Peninsula.

The Penola was commanded by Lieutenant R.E.D.Ryder, R.N. and set out from England in September 1934. On arrival at Port Stanley the rig was altered to make it more suitable for working in the icy regions. The yards and two of the topmasts were removed to reduce windage. The main topmast was left in place as it carried the crow’s nest. The bowsprit was shortened, only leaving enough to carry two head sails. These alterations, besides reducing windage, apparently helped to trim the ship more by the stern which gave the propellers better grip and protection from the ice.

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Specifications and details of Penola:

Type: Three masted gaff rigged topsail schooner
Built: Brittany 1905
Construction: Timber with inner and outer hull
Length waterline: 103ft
Beam: 24 ft
Draft: 14ft
Gross tonnage: 130tons
Engines: Two 50HP Junker Diesel engines.

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