Wreck of the Glenesslin

“Wreck of the Glenesslin” black and white scrimshaw on ancient mammoth tusk ivory by David Smith. Excellent depiction of one of the strangest events in US maritime history. Why are all the sails up as this handsome clipper has run around in Oregon? Many questions were raised with few answers. The end of the sail era and the beginning of steam powered vessels that were more reliable and quicker caused some owners to purposely run their ships on the rocks just to collect insurance.