Shoreline Series

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Mark Roger Bailey Photography

Cove Light

Peace is…

a schooner’s mooring at dawn, 

the only movement

the tide’s pull on a buoy,

an osprey’s wingbeat in the fog,

and your better thoughts.  

Please Note: Images on this page are posted at lower resolution to shorten loading time and ensure a great viewing experience.

Essex Dock in September Fog
Essex Dock in September Fog
Essex Dock at the Landing
Essex Dock at the Landing
Essex Dock Sunrise in Fog
Essex Dock Sunrise in Fog
Essex Dock - Grays
Essex Dock - Grays
Floating Docks in Fog
Floating Docks in Fog
Pilot Boat - Fogged In
Pilot Boat - Fogged In
Docks in Winter
Docks in Winter
No Wake
No Wake

Retreating fog reveals waterbirds rousing from the night's sanctuary on a mid-river dock.
Four Birds Waiting
Four Birds Waiting
Four Swans - North Cove
Four Swans - North Cove
Retreating Fog - North Cove
Retreating Fog - North Cove
North Cove - SE Shoreline Fog
North Cove - SE Shoreline Fog
Early Snow at Essex Mooring
Early Snow at Essex Mooring
Sloop in Travel Lift at Dawn - Essex
Sloop in Travel Lift at Dawn - Essex
Cormorant in Morning Fog
Cormorant in Morning Fog
Essex Morning Sun and Fog
Essex Morning Sun and Fog
Inflatable Dinghy in Morning Fog
Inflatable Dinghy in Morning Fog
North Cove Docks in Morning Fog
North Cove Docks in Morning Fog
No Wake - Moored Sloops
No Wake - Moored Sloops
Sailboat Moored in Fog with Cormorants
Sailboat Moored in Fog with Cormorants
Ketch Chautauqua Early Snowfall
Ketch Chautauqua Early Snowfall
Sunrise at Sunset Pond
Sunrise at Sunset Pond

Restoration

RESTORATION Collection artworks are available for purchase at

The RESTORATION Collection

Sea Worthy

RESTORATION is a series of images taken of the barque Charles W. Morgan, America’s oldest commercial vessel afloat, during her restoration from 2009-2014 in Connecticut. This collection is not intended to be a documentary. It is an aesthetic study.

While the Morgan's story about a whaler launched in 1841, her great size, her ambitious owners, her dedicated masters, and her forgotten crews are all of interest, my focus over time moved to a fascination with the details of her construction. The accumulated wisdom in her bones.

The closer I looked, the more came into my view. The shipwright's choice of woods – live oak, white oak, black locust and others – gave me a new appreciation for millennia of sailors' utilitarian aspirations and shipbuilders’ lessons learned.

Then there are the aesthetics of the woods, lines, tars, oakum and hardware that, when combined, create art. A ship undergoing restoration is a potential work of art. Its curves hint at speed or suggest sturdiness. Artful ideal or utility, rarely both simultaneously.

The closer I look, the more I see the big picture. . . of humankind’s irrepressible ambition, restless vision and persistence. . . of Nature’s bountifulness, complexity and seemingly infinite patience. . . and of the generous and resonant beauty to be found in the details around this veteran wooden vessel, in varying light and weather. That is where the art is found. These details add to our understanding. Together, they tell the story of how we learned to walk on water.

Rudder and Stern
Rudder and Stern
Starboard Quarter and Exposed New Framing Futtocks
Starboard Quarter and Exposed New Framing Futtocks
Starboard Hull Planking 51-50 Markers
Starboard Hull Planking 51-50 Markers
Starboard Bow Waterline
Starboard Bow Waterline
Rudder, Port Quarter
Rudder, Port Quarter
Port Quarter Ribs and Planking
Port Quarter Ribs and Planking
Port Quarter - Orange Futtock Replacements
Port Quarter - Orange Futtock Replacements
Starboard Planks Amidships 50-53
Starboard Planks Amidships 50-53
Port Stem, Keel and Planking
Port Stem, Keel and Planking
Port Quarter Garboard and Broad Strakes
Port Quarter Garboard and Broad Strakes
Bow Stem and Exposed Ribs
Bow Stem and Exposed Ribs

The Art of Sail | Tall Ships

Art of Sail | Tall Ships fine art photographs are available for sale at

MRB Art of Sail | Tall Ships

New Insights

Whether manning lines at sea or working the deck ashore, I discover new insights with every experience on these wood, iron, and canvas wind engines. Good subjects for the shuttered lens are everywhere and no two are alike. Just as changeable conditions at sea sharpen skills and enrich the soul, an infinite variety of tools to adapt to Nature's winds keeps sailors energized and creative.

Fresh vision and openness to discovery often result in surprising art aboard the schooner, bark, brig, ship, and other windjammers. Each perspective inspires awe for humankind's connectedness in a universe of strivings, for our reach that exceeds our grasp. Every sail harvests the wind and transfers its power to the mast, to the step, to the hull, keel, and rudder to move us through waves and across seas to far places.

Artist’s Prints at Art of Sail | Tall Ships

Selected artist’s prints are available as limited-edition prints on museum-grade archival paper. These prints capture sensory moments in time reminiscent of our interconnectedness, our passions, and our purpose. I hope that these beautiful artworks of sailing vessels at sea and ashore inspire you and add meaning to your unique voyage.

Bookmark this page and return for periodic updates and new artworks.

NEW - Selected Maritime Miniatures Now Available

Please stop by my Gallery Shop to consider a special series of signed and numbered limited-edition prints for the collector. A miniature print of a magnificent tall ship makes a great gift for the love of your life. 

Purchase Art of Sail | Tall Ships fine art photographs at

MRB Art of Sail | Tall Ships

Schooner, Galleon and Topsail Schooner Rigs
Schooner, Galleon and Topsail Schooner Rigs

Schooner, Galleon and Topsail Schooner Rigs San Diego, CA

Topmasts of Schooner America, Galleon San Salvador and Topsail Schooner Californian. San Diego Harbor, 29 December 2017.
Staysail, Mainmast & Topsail
Staysail, Mainmast & Topsail

Star of India | 3-masted Barque

Built at Ramsey shipyard on the Isle of Man. Launched as the Euterpe in 1863. Began her career as a cargo ship in the India trade and was nearly lost on her first two voyages, surviving a mutiny, collision, cyclone and death of her captain.

LOD: 210' | LWL: 200' | Rig Height: 148' | Draft: 21'6" | Hull: Iron
Foremast, Block and Yards
Foremast, Block and Yards

Californian (replica) | 1984

Californian is a meticulous replica of a mid-19th century revenue cutter. In 2003, Californian was designated the official tall ship of the State of California.

Sparred Length: 145' | LWL: 84' | Rig height: 95' | Draft: 9' 5" | Hull: Wood
Starboard Rail
Starboard Rail

Star of India 3-masted Barque

Built at Ramsey shipyard on the Isle of Man. Launched as the Euterpe in 1863. Began her career as a cargo ship in the India trade and was nearly lost on her first two voyages, surviving a mutiny, collision, cyclone and death of her captain. Looking forward from the starboard quarterdeck, the part of the upper deck abaft the mainmast reserved for ship's officers, guests, and passengers.

LOD: 210' | LWL: 200' | Rig Height: 148' | Draft: 21'6" | Hull: Iron
Spars Above the Tree Line
Spars Above the Tree Line

Charles W. Morgan (1841) | 3-masted Barque

The mizzen, main and fore masts of America’s oldest commercial ship afloat. Launched by builders Jethro and Zachariah Hillman in 1841 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the Charles W. Morgan is the last of an American whaling fleet that numbered over 2,700 vessels.

LOD: 107' | LWL: 104' | Rig Height: 119' 9" | Draft: 12' 6" | Hull: Wood
Lower Topsails Set
Lower Topsails Set

Charles W. Morgan (1841) | 3-masted Barque

Launched by builders Jethro and Zachariah Hillman in 1841 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the Charles W. Morgan is America's oldest commercial ship still afloat - only the USS Constitution is older. She is the last of an American whaling fleet that numbered over 2,700 vessels.

LOD: 107' | LWL: 104' | Rig Height: 119' 9" | Draft: 12' 6" | Hull: Wood
Joseph Conrad - Figurehead
Joseph Conrad - Figurehead

Josef Conrad (1882) is a full-rigged, three-masted ship.

Launched in Copenhagen, Denmark as the Georg Stage by Burmeister & Wain in 1882. Rescued from scrap by Australian sailor-author Alan Villiers and renamed in honor of famed author Joseph Conrad.

LOA: 100' 8" | Rig height: 98' 6" | Draft: 12' | Hull: Iron
Euterpe (1863)
Euterpe (1863)

Star of India 3-masted Barque

Built at Ramsey shipyard on the Isle of Man. Launched as the Euterpe in 1863. Began her career as a cargo ship in the India trade and was nearly lost on her first two voyages, surviving a mutiny, collision, cyclone and death of her captain.

LOD: 210' | LWL: 200' | Rig Height: 148' | Draft: 21'6" | Hull: Iron
Barque Foremast and Mainmast
Barque Foremast and Mainmast

Charles W. Morgan (1841) | 3-masted Barque

Launched by builders Jethro and Zachariah Hillman in 1841 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the Charles W. Morgan is America's oldest commercial ship still afloat - only the USS Constitution is older. She is the last of an American whaling fleet that numbered over 2,700 vessels.

LOD: 107' | LWL: 104' | Rig Height: 119' 9" | Draft: 12' 6" | Hull: Wood
Mainmast with Lower Topsails Set
Mainmast with Lower Topsails Set

Charles W. Morgan (1841) | 3-masted Barque

Launched by builders Jethro and Zachariah Hillman in 1841 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the Charles W. Morgan is America's oldest commercial ship still afloat - only the USS Constitution is older. She is the last of an American whaling fleet that numbered over 2,700 vessels.

LOD: 107' | LWL: 104' | Rig Height: 119' 9" | Draft: 12' 6" | Hull: Wood
Starboard Rail, Rigging & Whaleboat
Starboard Rail, Rigging & Whaleboat

Charles W. Morgan (1841) | 3-masted Barque

Launched by builders Jethro and Zachariah Hillman in 1841 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the Charles W. Morgan is America's oldest commercial ship still afloat - only the USS Constitution is older. She is the last of an American whaling fleet that numbered over 2,700 vessels.

LOD: 107' | LWL: 104' | Rig Height: 119' 9" | Draft: 12' 6" | Hull: Wood
Stars & Stripes, Masts of HMS Surprise
Stars & Stripes, Masts of HMS Surprise

America’s Stars & Stripes and masts of the full-rigged ship HMS Surprise.
Staysail
Staysail

Staysail - Star of India | 3-masted Barque

Built at Ramsey shipyard on the Isle of Man. Launched as the Euterpe in 1863. Began her career as a cargo ship in the India trade and was nearly lost on her first two voyages, surviving a mutiny, collision, cyclone and death of her captain.

LOD: 210' | LWL: 200' | Rig Height: 148' | Draft: 21'6" | Hull: Iron
Mizzen Mast Under Gathering Clouds
Mizzen Mast Under Gathering Clouds

Charles W. Morgan (1841) | 3-masted Barque

Mizzen mast of the Charles W. Morgan, America's oldest commercial ship still afloat - only the USS Constitution is older. Launched by builders Jethro and Zachariah Hillman in 1841 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. She is the last of an American whaling fleet that numbered over 2,700 vessels.

LOD: 107' | LWL: 104' | Rig Height: 119' 9" | Draft: 12' 6" | Hull: Wood
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