Object ID	N0191.1956
Title	Steamer Niagara Passing Fort Washington Point, 1845
Artist	Bard, James
Object Name	Painting
Early Date	1852
Exhibit label line3	The Niagara is a Bard tour-de-force by virtue of the painting's size, rich detail, and striking landscape. It is likely that Bard lavished attention on this picture because two of his most important patrons - Thomas Collyer and Albert DeGroot - had an interest in the vessel. The painting was probably commissioned by DeGroot, as it descended in his family. The Niagara was built by Thomas and William Collyer at their yard at the foot of 12th Street on the East River in 1845. Weighing 730 tons and measuring 265' in length, it was used as a day boat for the New York, Albany and Troy Line. In 1847, while racing a competitor, the Niagara burst a steam chimney, killing two firemen and injuring seven passengers. After repairs, the vessel was sold to the Housatonic Railroad in 1848 for the New York and Bridgeport, Connecticut route. The Niagara was later used for excursions around New York, and in 1860 was converted to a tugboat for the Schuyler Line. It was broken up in 1898. Captain Albert DeGroot was a native of Staten Island. His father was a neighbor of Commodore Vanderbilt, who gave Albert his start as a deck hand. DeGroot became close friends with Vanderbilt, and rose to be captain of the Sandusky, Osceola, Niagara, and Reindeer. Well-off, he retired to Richfield Springs, New York, and died there in 1884. At times Bard painted a recognizable background for a favored client. Here he depicts the Niagara passing Fort Washington Point, site of the present-day eastern terminus of the George Washington Bridge. Although the painting was executed in 1852, the date attached to the title clearly indicates the client's wishes to have the boat's 1845 launching commemorated in the painting.
Description	Marks: Lower left: "Steamer Niagara Passing Fort Washington Point 1845"/"BUILT BY MESSWES WM. & THOS. COLLYER OF NEW YORK, 1845/Picture Drawn & Painted by James Bard, N.Y. 1852"/On reverse: "Prepared by Edwd DECHAUX New York" "36/S"
Classification	Folk Art--Painting/Drawing--Portrait--Machine
Dimensions	H-34 W-56 inches
Material	Oil on canvas
Place of Origin	NY

Prior written permission is required for any reproduction, redistribution, publication, or other use of the images in any media, including but not limited to, printed or electronic media. Contact the Office of the Registrar, New York State Historical Association, PO Box 800, Cooperstown, NY 13326, (607) 547-1444, to request permission.    
Last modified on: November 04, 2005