Study Center

Today the wreck lies scattered about Endeavour Straits (now known as Torres Straits) - as Bligh at the time predicted it would. As a sailor Edwards was not in the class of Cook or Bligh, a failing he attempted to redress by flogging his crew. Eventually not even this would save him and this picture shows Pandora sinking after being holed by one of the hundreds reefs dotting this narrow passage. Edwards was not one to go down with his ship but one of the first to save himself. His boat, with sail hoisted, can be seen disappearing towards the horizon. Over twenty souls perished in the wreck with some of the mutineers being dragged down by their chains. This panel shows the scene at sunrise after a night of fearful terror. The stern of Pandora with its shattered windows stares, like the face of some doomed creature, over a scene of panic and urgency that it is powerless to prevent. It is metamorphosing to become the tomb for those many still trapped inside. In ancient parlance this is a 'closed' picture as it tries to force the viewer into the scene by employing a tunnel like structure where the eye is forced to restlessly roam. There is little opportunity of escape.

(6b) 23" x 15" individual print
$105.00