Inspirational Subject Matter

11/17/2020 10:09:46 AM by Don Jalbert
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The Hero of the Sarah

Beginnings

Some of my first paintings involved historical/romantic themes. One of my very first seascapes for example had two viking ships heading out to the horizon. Needless to say the painting was bad. But the lore of the sea, its history of ships and shipwrecks hold my imagination to this day. Recently I was re-reading one of the books written by Edward Rowe Snow and came across the following account which I was compelled to record as a painting.

The Hero of the Sarah

In 1835 the packet ship "Sarah" was traveling from Boston to Portland. There were 32 people on board. About half way there a storm picked up and the captain decided to make for the nearest shelter. In the blinding snow he turned into what he thought was a safe harbor. He was several miles off from where he thought he was and soon ran aground. Thirty two people faced one of the most terrifying experiences imaginable on the high seas.

Desperate Moments

A small boy was terrified as he could not swim. A black woman whose name is lost to history told the boy to get on her back and she would take him safely to shore. Sixteen people made it to shore, sixteen others perished. This lady is the Hero of the Sarah. This is my take on the event. This lady performed this incredibly unselfish act and they both survived.

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