12:59pm Friday 18th July 2008
A painting of a schooner, built by Cornwall's only woman boat builder, has taken pride of place at the National Maritime Museum, Falmouth.
The museum has added the watercolour of the Jane Slade, painted by Reuben Chappell to its collection, thanks the wife of its former owner.
The schooner Jane Slade was named after the only woman shipbuilder in Cornwall who took control of her family's business when her husband died in 1870.
Jane life was made famous after it inspired Daphne du Maurier's first novel, The Loving Spirit.
Mrs Adams, whose husband was given the painting by Ernie Slade of Slade's boatyard, has handed over the painting to the museum to make sure it is kept for future generation to see.
Museum curator Sarah Riddle said: "I'm extremely excited by these new acquisitions. The painting of the Jane Slade has so many fascinating stories surrounding it, from the real Jane Slade who the ship was named after, to the artist who painted her and not forgetting the Du Maurier connection."
The Adams family also donated a historic navigation book.
Sarah said: "The book, which was actually own by Jane Slade's son, really brings the whole story to life. We are extremely grateful to Mrs Adams for donating these wonderful objects to the museum."
She added the painting and the book are currently being catalogued and will go on display soon.
Reuben Chappell, who died in 1940, was one of this country's best-known "pierhead" painters.
As an artist he spent his entire working life painting portraits of ships for seamen.
Chappell lived and painted in Cornwall from 1904 and his work is intimately tangled up with the subjects of his painting.
The book is dated 1852 and is believed to have been owned by Jane Slade's son Thomas, one-time captain of the schooner.
A rare find within the book are four pages which relate to Thomas receiving his master mariners certificate headed Plymouth School of science and navigation.
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