The true story of Captain Thomas Robertson
As published by the National Library of New Zealand
Master mariner, and marine artist, born at Bo’ness, Scotland, in 1819. By 1853 he had settled in Melbourne. He visited Milford Sound aboard the Alhambra in 1855. He arrived in New Zealand as master of Macandrew’s steamer `Pirate’ in 1859, and later purchased six sections in Magnet Street, Port Chalmers and Bernicia Street, Dunedin. Commanded the clipper ship `Lightning’. Secretary to the Otago Marine Board in the early 1860s, and a noted marine artist. In 1871 he moved to Japan and died at Yokohama, 8 Jul 1873. Father of David Ogilvie Robertson (fl 1883-1900), who was also an artist. Some published sources give his death date as 1875, but his death certificate gives a date of 1873.
‘The Red Jacket in Hobson’s Bay’ attributed to Captain Thomas Robertson
Credit: Australian National Maritime Museum
Collection number 00006060 – painting depicting three American clipper ships, the LIGHTNING, JAMES BAINES and RED JACKET in Hobson’s Bay. Port Melbourne can be seen in the background, as viewed from Point Gellibrand. A dinghy carrying a uniformed passenger and crewed by four men is in the foreground rowing toward the ships. The dinghy flies a pennant reading ‘Argus’.
Where Light Meets Water by Susan Paterson
An evocative novel of love and art, and one man’s journey to find his place in the world. Where Light Meets Water is a moving debut traversing nineteenth-century London, Melbourne and New Zealand’s rugged South Island.
London, 1847: On shore leave while his ship is being repaired, sailor Thomas Rutherford is restless, waiting to return to sea. At twenty-eight years old, Tom knows nothing but life on tall ships and is determined to captain his own.
But Tom has a second passion: painting. And so he passes time with his paintbox and sketchbook… until he is struck by the discovery of a delicate glove laced with the unmistakable scent of turpentine. The owner is Catherine Ogilvie – captivating, headstrong and a talented artist in her own right. Intrigued by this singular woman, Tom finds himself swept into Catherine’s privileged yet stifling world.
As Tom and Catherine grow closer, Tom’s eyes are opened to a new way of life. But his ambitions remain and, when the sea calls to Tom, he must face an impossible choice.
In her stunning debut, Susan Paterson explores the power of art to transform a life and to connect us to others. Where Light Meets Water is a multi-stranded novel of love – of a man and a woman, of a sailor and the sea, and of an artist and his gift.
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