Steamboat Republic Bound for Cape May

Publisher Century Lithograph Company of Philadelphia

Periodca. 1880 - 1890

MediumChromolithograph on paper

Dimensions20 × 35.25 in. (50.8 × 89.5 cm)

InscribedInscribed in the lower right border, "Century Lith. Co. Phila."

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineMuseum Collection

Object number1984.512

DescriptionA port side depiction of the side paddle wheel steamboat Republic. It flies eight flags, including one that reads "FOR CAPE MAY," another house flag that reads "REPUBLIC," flags for France, the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands, and a United States flag off the stern. The large vessel, sailing from right to left, is moving in slightly choppy water. Many passengers occupy the open areas on all three decks. A gilded eagle appears on the top of the pilot house, and smoke pours from the single iron stack. A large walking beam engine sits between the paddle wheel boxes, which feature elaborately turned spoke-like decoration painted red with a lunette at its center pivot point. The name Republic is painted in black lettering below the paddle box, while the paddlewheels themselves are painted red. Cabins and salons appear on the first and second decks. Three lifeboats can be seen on the third or top deck.
NotesThe paddle-wheel excursion ship Republic plied the waters of the Delaware River from 1878 to 1904. The vessel carried passengers from Philadelphia to Cape May, New Jersey, for one dollar round trip. The Century Lithograph Company of Philadelphia was in business in the 1880s and 1890s.

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