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1920s Boston T-Wharf Fish Trawler Pelican Sinks in Harbor Glass Negative OOAK
Original, one-of-a-kind (OOAK) institutional-grade camera-original antique gelatin silver press field glass negative captured circa 1920s: a dramatic visual record of Boston Harbor maritime history: the commercial steam fishing trawler "Pelican" half-submerged and resting on the harbor bottom at historic T-Wharf after striking thick ice outside the harbor.
Preserved in its original vintage dual-layer newsroom morgue housing: the tan kraft outer filing envelope paired with its matching inner linen sleeve, both bearing contemporary newsroom manuscript:
Historical & Archival Significance:
For decades, Boston’s historic T-Wharf served as the primary base for the New England offshore fishing fleet before operations moved to the Fish Pier. Winter fishing runs to Georges Bank exposed wooden and iron trawlers to brutal North Atlantic ice floes. Following an ice collision in outer harbor waters, the crew of the Pelican reached the safety of T-Wharf before the compromised hull flooded, sending her stern to the harbor mud.
Captured directly in-camera on heavy press glass plate looking down from the wharf apron, this high-contrast exposure documents the wreck with razor-sharp fidelity:
The Sunken Vessel: Imposing perspective of the Pelican resting at an angle on the harbor bed, with seawater completely submerging her aft deck and lapping the base of her towering black steam exhaust funnel.
Hull Inscriptions: Flawless clarity on the vessel's raised port bow, showcasing the bold painted block lettering "PELICAN" set below the port hawsepipe and anchor assembly.
Rigging & Waterfront Architecture: Exceptional resolution of the trawler’s derrick mast, boom rigging, steel stays, ratlines, and heavy mooring lines securing her to the pier, with masts of other commercial fishing vessels and wharf sheds lining the harbor slip behind.
Tonal Fidelity: Rich continuous-tone silver gelatin density resolving water ripple reflections around the flooded boiler house, timber planking grain on the pier apron, and riveted hull seams.
Specifications:
Format: Heavy antique silver gelatin press glass negative, exposed directly in-camera circa 1920s.
Archive Ephemera: Accompanied by the original period tan kraft darkroom morgue envelope and its matching inner linen sleeve.
Please Note: This listing is for the physical antique glass negative and its original paper archive housing only. Positive photographic images shown in this listing are modern inverted digital scans provided solely as a visual reference to illustrate image detail. No physical paper prints or modern reproductions are included.
Condition:
Very Good to Excellent antique condition. The heavy glass plate is structurally sound, stable, and completely intact with no cracks, breaks, fractures, or chips through the glass body. The silver gelatin emulsion is remarkably clean, sharp, and firmly adhered, retaining crisp definition across the trawler's hull, painted "PELICAN" lettering, rigging lines, and harbor water. Authentic unexposed handling borders remain preserved along the outer glass rebate margins. Complete with its original period kraft morgue filing envelope and inner linen sleeve
The glass plate negative measures 4 x 5In.
If you collect glass negatives, please check out our collection in our store. We are currently listing thousands of original glass photo negatives from this DJD collection through the remainder of the year. Follow our store, and feel free to reach out about any questions about the negatives in this collection.
Ships with extreme care in archival materials to ensure safe transit. Feel free to reach out with any requests or questions).
Combined shipping is available (with other glass negatives)
