Port Hawkesbury By Moonlight

Port Hawkesbury By Moonlight, Circa 1910

This luminous painting depicts the schooner “Atrato” (skippered by Captain Watts of Port Hawkesbury) lifting anchor, while from her stern an accompanying tug approaches to pick up a tow line.

Reminiscent of this era, you will locate in the far left above the plant line wharf, St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church.

To the right of the tugboat smoke stacks is situated the home of the present day Mayor, Billy Joe MacLean. It is shown with the two ground floor windows facing the church aglow with light.

Behind the waterfront in the center of the painting you will find both the Zion Methodist Church and the Salem Baptist Church, which are illuminated inside as well as out.

The large brown building below the Baptist Church is where the Port Hawkesbury Town Hall of the time was positioned. To its right, above the ferry, the A.C. Chisholm Hall is shown with its grand second story arched window brilliantly lit.

The coastal ferry, S.S. Marion, casts a soft reflection on the harbour as she unloads her passengers on their travels from Baddeck, Whycocomagh, and St. Peter’s.

Directly above the bow of the Schooner on the far right is located the Port Hawkesbury Public School. Found immediately above the stern, with two windows lighted, is where the Masonic Hall was situated.

On the extreme right you will discover the Robertson Presbyterian Church, the only one of the original four Churches that is still standing. On the shoreline below this little church is the C.N. freight shed

The artist’s devotion to detail provides us with an accurate image of what life for a Port Hawkesbury resident would have been at the beginning of the 1900’s. He truly captures our interest and fascinates us with this glimpse of our past.

Each print is signed and numbered by the artist. Limited Edition of 250 prints.

All J. Franklin Wright images are strictly protected by copyright, no copies in any form or use of any images without written consent is permitted.