The Charlemagne, Circa 1828

Watercolor painting by Frederick Roux; Paris, 1828; P/O Peabody Essex Museum collection in Salem, Massachusetts
(Only in black and white images are available.)

Used with permission of the Peabody Essex Museum. From: The Artful Roux, by Philip Chadwick Foster Smith, (Salem: Peabody Museum of Salem, (c) 1978)

This ship is small by current standards for passenger and freight ships. It is virtually the same size as the Brig Niagara which successfully defended the American interests in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. The Charlemagne appears to be no portholes, nor any life boats. Quarter boats (rowing boats) were later added to the fantail of the ship for service as utility boats, and perhaps lifeboats. Considering the passengers and crew of approximately 150/160, these two small boats were hardly adequate for use as lifeboats.

The overall space available on the ship was about 7,000 square feet. That is two-and-a-half times the average home size in the U.S.A. in 2002. Space would have been very cramped in the steerage areas.

• Painting of the Charlemagne
  • Medium-Sized View (68 Kb)
  • Large-Sized View (160 Kb)
• Other Illustrations and Photos:
  • Palmer List of Merchant Vessels
    (Other illustrations and more details on the Charlemagne)
  • Brig Niagara Photo Gallery
    (Same-sized ship built in Erie, PA.)