Ships often required the aid of a river pilot to enter port safely. The small rowing boats in the painting are probably ferrying pilots to and from ships at the mouth of the Wear.

Carmichael was born in Newcastle. By his early 20s he had established his own studio in Newcastle, and he began exhibiting in 1825. In 1846 he moved to London where he worked successfully until 1862.

Provenance: Given by the Port of Sunderland Authority, 1973

Object description
Type: Easel painting
Location: Sunderland Museum & Winter Garden, Tyne & Wear
Material: Oil on board
Artist: John Wilson Carmichael (1799-1868)
Date: 1862

Image Details
Date: 20 April 2026
Camera body: iPhone Xs
Lens: Wide Camera 26mm ƒ/1.8
Focal Length: 26mm
Aperture: ƒ/1.8
Shutter Speed: 1/25s
ISO: 400
Licensing: Image of a Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens asset. This image cannot be licensed.