Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "R.M.S. Yare" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor/Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Trains & Boats & Planes & More Collection Description Card for the Yare. One of the first of the so-called "ocean stagecoaches" built in the 1840s to carry mail between British colonies, the R.M.S. Yare actually served a variety of purposes. First and foremost she was, as her named implied, a carrier for the Royal Mail. In order to provide the most reliable service possible among the scattered islands of the West Indies, the Yare and her fourteen sister ships were equipped with steam-powered paddle wheels as well as a complete sailing rig. These hybrids, all named after British rivers, chugged through the Caribbean at speeds averaging eight knots; a copper-plated hull protected them from the ravages of the tropical toredo worm. But, in the days when the sun never set on the British flag, the Royal Navy was spread thin and the British Admiralty was more concerned about the ravages of hostile nations than the ravages of nature. For this reason they insisted the steamers carry a variety of small arms, including muskets, pistols, and pikes. Furthermore, their decks were specially reinforced to enable them to carry heavy cannon in the event of a war. TheYare was never forced to do battle at sea. Image Size: 6 x 7 in. Overall Size: 9 x 10 in. Unframed. (B07225)