The photograph “Ships at Low Tide” was taken by William Henry Fox Talbot around the year 1844. It showcases ships during a low tide, grounding the vessels and exposing the seabed around them.
In the image, we can see several tall ships resting on the exposed seabed during a low tide. The masts and rigging of the ships are prominently featured against a relatively light sky, with the hulls of the ships highlighted by the darker tones of the wet ground. The ships are tilted slightly due to the lack of water support, and the absence of any active crew or motion suggests a moment of quiet repose. The photograph displays the texture and patterns of the ships’ wooden planks and the wet surroundings, capturing a maritime scene from the mid-19th century in fine detail, despite the limitations of the early photographic process used at that time.
