The strength of such a painting as this original scene by Montague Dawson is in its combination of mystery and familiarity. This is what Dawson does best. He had a single identity for the merchant racing ship, and her distant follower on the horizon for that matter. This ship is most probably the Clipper OBERON, a storied ship in the China and Australian Trades, as the figurehead is a near perfect match with a known Dawson painting of that Ship. Dawson made models and preliminary sketches for many paintings he would produce, and would revisit ships he admired. In another painting that is very similar to this work, "Clipper Days" it's the ORIENT that's featured, while an image that was titled "Up Channel" and widely reproduced shows the Clipper LAHLOO in her glory.
Showing the crew hard at work on the bow rail, the essence of speed is with the clipper, her stunsails wide and nearly every sheet available on the three masts. The English Channel allusion of the title means that the ship is headed home, after many months abroad, and loaded with precious cargo. Wispy trails in the sky show a strong breeze and a clear path, as she beat the rival to port soundly. The wooden sailing ship is hard-driven, performing as her captain and owner demanded.
Dawson's mastery of detail and composition make this a fine work. His recognition as one of the world's leading marine artists is enhanced by such traditional devices as the rolling bow wave and rhythmic pace of the swells within his blue sea. His recognizable technique comes forth on his following in the British Sea traditions of C. Napier Hemy and Thomas Somerscales.
