J.M.W. Turner: Sketchbooks, Drawings and Watercolours

Drawn with the sketchbook inverted, the subject continues on folio 10 (D07869). Turner visited Whitehaven as part of his Cumbrian tour in 1809 and drawings are in the Cockermouth sketchbook (Tate D07581; Turner Bequest 39), from the disbound Kirkstall Lock sketchbook (Tate D12251, D12253; Turner Bequest CLV 10, 12) and, probably from another dispersed sketchbook, in other collections. For all of the latter see Introduction to the Petworth sketchbook (Tate D07512–D07536; D40276; Turner Bequest CIX). Two of them show the interior of the harbour, one with coal being loaded through rolling chutes – the famous ‘Hurries’ – on to colliers (Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, Connecticut), and the other shipping (Huntington Library, San Marino, California).1 The port had flourished for many years, exporting coal to Ireland and importing rum, sugar, tobacco and slaves. Although Turner’s more finished views show it as a busy place, it was in fact in decline due to silting and competition from more accessible deep-water harbours.

In this quick double-page sketch, the harbour seems quiet with only one small ship in the artist’s line of view. Turner shows the view out towards the Solway Firth, with the cliffs towards Bransty and Parton on the right. As this writer was able to confirm on a visit in August 2009, Turner took it from the Old Quay, with the high protective wall at his left shoulder; to the right is the entrance to the inner harbour and the Old North Wall.