LONDON.- The Spindrift was designed and built by the Glaswegian Charles Connell in 1867 and wrecked off the Kent coast just two years later while carrying a priceless cargo to Shangai

A stunning painting by Montague Dawson (British, 1890-1973) titled “The glittering Spindrift running before the wind” is to be sold at Bonhams’ Marine Sale in London on April 15.

Valued at £25,000-35,000, the work is an oil on canvas depicting the longest ever wooden clipper in the trade. Spindrift was designed and built by the Glaswegian Charles Connell for James Findlay of Greenock.

Launched on 18th July 1867 she was undoubtedly her builder’s finest tea clipper and, thanks to her very large sail plan, also one of the fastest ships of the time.

The ship cleared London for her maiden voyage on 13th September 1867 under Captain Middleton and sailed to China, where she docked on New Year’s Day 1868.

One year later, on the 20th November, she was bound for Shangai with a priceless cargo worth £200,000 (approximately £15million in today’s money) but was wrecked off Dungeness the following night.

At the official enquiry it was stated that her leadsman was inexperienced and the pilot mistook a star for the Dungeness Light, despite the clearness of the night.

Bonhams head of Pictures at Knightsbridge, Veronique Scorer said, “This is a highly evocative painting of one of the greatest ships of its day. Had it not been for the tragic accident which led to its sinking Spindrift would probably have joined Ariel, Cutty Sark and Thermopylae on the short list of truly legendary clippers.”