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Alf Whiting (British 1905-1972): 'The Dover and Ramsgate Boats Stand By', watercolour signed, extensively titled on the mount, further titled verso 34cm x 50cm Notes: the picture depicts the rescue of the American Liberty Ship 'Western Farmer', which collided with the Norwegian tanker 'Bjor Gholm' twenty miles east of Deal on the 20th August 1952. The Dover lifeboat 'Southern Africa' and the Ramsgate lifeboat 'Prudential' rescued the entire crew of 37, by the light of the steam tug 'Rumania'. Whiting was a Dover lifeboat man famed for returning from each rescue to paint the scene from memory. This was one of only two paintings done by Whiting showing a lifeboat of which he was not onboard; he had his legs in plaster at the time and was unable to go to sea, but the event became so famous that he was requested to paint it. An article on the artist from the East Kent Messenger, 13th July 1956, illustrating the present picture, is reproduced verso.
Alf Whiting (British 1905-1972): 'The Dover and Ramsgate Boats Stand By', watercolour signed, extensively titled on the mount, further titled verso 34cm x 50cm Notes: the picture depicts the rescue of the American Liberty Ship 'Western Farmer', which collided with the Norwegian tanker 'Bjor Gholm' twenty miles east of Deal on the 20th August 1952. The Dover lifeboat 'Southern Africa' and the Ramsgate lifeboat 'Prudential' rescued the entire crew of 37, by the light of the steam tug 'Rumania'. Whiting was a Dover lifeboat man famed for returning from each rescue to paint the scene from memory. This was one of only two paintings done by Whiting showing a lifeboat of which he was not onboard; he had his legs in plaster at the time and was unable to go to sea, but the event became so famous that he was requested to paint it. An article on the artist from the East Kent Messenger, 13th July 1956, illustrating the present picture, is reproduced verso.
Alf Whiting (British 1905-1972): 'The Dover and Ramsgate Boats Stand By', watercolour signed, extensively titled on the mount, further titled verso 34cm x 50cm Notes: the picture depicts the rescue of the American Liberty Ship 'Western Farmer', which collided with the Norwegian tanker 'Bjor Gholm' twenty miles east of Deal on the 20th August 1952. The Dover lifeboat 'Southern Africa' and the Ramsgate lifeboat 'Prudential' rescued the entire crew of 37, by the light of the steam tug 'Rumania'. Whiting was a Dover lifeboat man famed for returning from each rescue to paint the scene from memory. This was one of only two paintings done by Whiting showing a lifeboat of which he was not onboard; he had his legs in plaster at the time and was unable to go to sea, but the event became so famous that he was requested to paint it. An article on the artist from the East Kent Messenger, 13th July 1956, illustrating the present picture, is reproduced verso.
Alf Whiting (British 1905-1972): 'The Dover and Ramsgate Boats Stand By', watercolour signed, extensively titled on the mount, further titled verso 34cm x 50cm Notes: the picture depicts the rescue of the American Liberty Ship 'Western Farmer', which collided with the Norwegian tanker 'Bjor Gholm' twenty miles east of Deal on the 20th August 1952. The Dover lifeboat 'Southern Africa' and the Ramsgate lifeboat 'Prudential' rescued the entire crew of 37, by the light of the steam tug 'Rumania'. Whiting was a Dover lifeboat man famed for returning from each rescue to paint the scene from memory. This was one of only two paintings done by Whiting showing a lifeboat of which he was not onboard; he had his legs in plaster at the time and was unable to go to sea, but the event became so famous that he was requested to paint it. An article on the artist from the East Kent Messenger, 13th July 1956, illustrating the present picture, is reproduced verso.
Alf Whiting (British 1905-1972): 'The Dover and Ramsgate Boats Stand By', watercolour signed, extensively titled on the mount, further titled verso 34cm x 50cm Notes: the picture depicts the rescue of the American Liberty Ship 'Western Farmer', which collided with the Norwegian tanker 'Bjor Gholm' twenty miles east of Deal on the 20th August 1952. The Dover lifeboat 'Southern Africa' and the Ramsgate lifeboat 'Prudential' rescued the entire crew of 37, by the light of the steam tug 'Rumania'. Whiting was a Dover lifeboat man famed for returning from each rescue to paint the scene from memory. This was one of only two paintings done by Whiting showing a lifeboat of which he was not onboard; he had his legs in plaster at the time and was unable to go to sea, but the event became so famous that he was requested to paint it. An article on the artist from the East Kent Messenger, 13th July 1956, illustrating the present picture, is reproduced verso.
Alf Whiting (British 1905-1972): 'The Dover and Ramsgate Boats Stand By', watercolour signed, extensively titled on the mount, further titled verso 34cm x 50cm Notes: the picture depicts the rescue of the American Liberty Ship 'Western Farmer', which collided with the Norwegian tanker 'Bjor Gholm' twenty miles east of Deal on the 20th August 1952. The Dover lifeboat 'Southern Africa' and the Ramsgate lifeboat 'Prudential' rescued the entire crew of 37, by the light of the steam tug 'Rumania'. Whiting was a Dover lifeboat man famed for returning from each rescue to paint the scene from memory. This was one of only two paintings done by Whiting showing a lifeboat of which he was not onboard; he had his legs in plaster at the time and was unable to go to sea, but the event became so famous that he was requested to paint it. An article on the artist from the East Kent Messenger, 13th July 1956, illustrating the present picture, is reproduced verso.
Alf Whiting (British 1905-1972): 'The Dover and Ramsgate Boats Stand By', watercolour signed, extensively titled on the mount, further titled verso 34cm x 50cm Notes: the picture depicts the rescue of the American Liberty Ship 'Western Farmer', which collided with the Norwegian tanker 'Bjor Gholm' twenty miles east of Deal on the 20th August 1952. The Dover lifeboat 'Southern Africa' and the Ramsgate lifeboat 'Prudential' rescued the entire crew of 37, by the light of the steam tug 'Rumania'. Whiting was a Dover lifeboat man famed for returning from each rescue to paint the scene from memory. This was one of only two paintings done by Whiting showing a lifeboat of which he was not onboard; he had his legs in plaster at the time and was unable to go to sea, but the event became so famous that he was requested to paint it. An article on the artist from the East Kent Messenger, 13th July 1956, illustrating the present picture, is reproduced verso.
Alf Whiting (British 1905-1972): 'The Dover and Ramsgate Boats Stand By', watercolour signed, extensively titled on the mount, further titled verso 34cm x 50cm Notes: the picture depicts the rescue of the American Liberty Ship 'Western Farmer', which collided with the Norwegian tanker 'Bjor Gholm' twenty miles east of Deal on the 20th August 1952. The Dover lifeboat 'Southern Africa' and the Ramsgate lifeboat 'Prudential' rescued the entire crew of 37, by the light of the steam tug 'Rumania'. Whiting was a Dover lifeboat man famed for returning from each rescue to paint the scene from memory. This was one of only two paintings done by Whiting showing a lifeboat of which he was not onboard; he had his legs in plaster at the time and was unable to go to sea, but the event became so famous that he was requested to paint it. An article on the artist from the East Kent Messenger, 13th July 1956, illustrating the present picture, is reproduced verso.
Alf Whiting (British 1905-1972): 'The Dover and Ramsgate Boats Stand By', watercolour signed, extensively titled on the mount, further titled verso 34cm x 50cm Notes: the picture depicts the rescue of the American Liberty Ship 'Western Farmer', which collided with the Norwegian tanker 'Bjor Gholm' twenty miles east of Deal on the 20th August 1952. The Dover lifeboat 'Southern Africa' and the Ramsgate lifeboat 'Prudential' rescued the entire crew of 37, by the light of the steam tug 'Rumania'. Whiting was a Dover lifeboat man famed for returning from each rescue to paint the scene from memory. This was one of only two paintings done by Whiting showing a lifeboat of which he was not onboard; he had his legs in plaster at the time and was unable to go to sea, but the event became so famous that he was requested to paint it. An article on the artist from the East Kent Messenger, 13th July 1956, illustrating the present picture, is reproduced verso.
Alf Whiting (British 1905-1972): 'The Dover and Ramsgate Boats Stand By', watercolour signed, extensively titled on the mount, further titled verso 34cm x 50cm Notes: the picture depicts the rescue of the American Liberty Ship 'Western Farmer', which collided with the Norwegian tanker 'Bjor Gholm' twenty miles east of Deal on the 20th August 1952. The Dover lifeboat 'Southern Africa' and the Ramsgate lifeboat 'Prudential' rescued the entire crew of 37, by the light of the steam tug 'Rumania'. Whiting was a Dover lifeboat man famed for returning from each rescue to paint the scene from memory. This was one of only two paintings done by Whiting showing a lifeboat of which he was not onboard; he had his legs in plaster at the time and was unable to go to sea, but the event became so famous that he was requested to paint it. An article on the artist from the East Kent Messenger, 13th July 1956, illustrating the present picture, is reproduced verso.
Alf Whiting (British 1905-1972): 'The Dover and Ramsgate Boats Stand By', watercolour signed, extensively titled on the mount, further titled verso 34cm x 50cm Notes: the picture depicts the rescue of the American Liberty Ship 'Western Farmer', which collided with the Norwegian tanker 'Bjor Gholm' twenty miles east of Deal on the 20th August 1952. The Dover lifeboat 'Southern Africa' and the Ramsgate lifeboat 'Prudential' rescued the entire crew of 37, by the light of the steam tug 'Rumania'. Whiting was a Dover lifeboat man famed for returning from each rescue to paint the scene from memory. This was one of only two paintings done by Whiting showing a lifeboat of which he was not onboard; he had his legs in plaster at the time and was unable to go to sea, but the event became so famous that he was requested to paint it. An article on the artist from the East Kent Messenger, 13th July 1956, illustrating the present picture, is reproduced verso.
Alf Whiting (British 1905-1972): 'The Dover and Ramsgate Boats Stand By', watercolour signed, extensively titled on the mount, further titled verso 34cm x 50cm Notes: the picture depicts the rescue of the American Liberty Ship 'Western Farmer', which collided with the Norwegian tanker 'Bjor Gholm' twenty miles east of Deal on the 20th August 1952. The Dover lifeboat 'Southern Africa' and the Ramsgate lifeboat 'Prudential' rescued the entire crew of 37, by the light of the steam tug 'Rumania'. Whiting was a Dover lifeboat man famed for returning from each rescue to paint the scene from memory. This was one of only two paintings done by Whiting showing a lifeboat of which he was not onboard; he had his legs in plaster at the time and was unable to go to sea, but the event became so famous that he was requested to paint it. An article on the artist from the East Kent Messenger, 13th July 1956, illustrating the present picture, is reproduced verso.

LOT NO 4018

STOCK NO 180691

Alf Whiting (British 1905-1972): 'The Dover and Ramsgate Boats Stand By', watercolour signed, extensively titled on the mount, further titled verso 34cm x 50cm

Notes: the picture depicts the rescue of the American Liberty Ship 'Western Farmer', which collided with the Norwegian tanker 'Bjor Gholm' twenty miles east of Deal on the 20th August 1952. The Dover lifeboat 'Southern Africa' and the Ramsgate lifeboat 'Prudential' rescued the entire crew of 37, by the light of the steam tug 'Rumania'.

Whiting was a Dover lifeboat man famed for returning from each rescue to paint the scene from memory. This was one of only two paintings done by Whiting showing a lifeboat of which he was not onboard; he had his legs in plaster at the time and was unable to go to sea, but the event became so famous that he was requested to paint it. An article on the artist from the East Kent Messenger, 13th July 1956, illustrating the present picture, is reproduced verso.

Sale Details

Affordable Art

Location: Online Automated Auction (Timed)

Auction ends: from 15:00 on 30/07/2026

Lot Number: 4018

Approx Sale Time

15:05 - 15:07

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Bidding Details

Estimate £50-100

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CURRENT BID £30

30/07/2026 15:05

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Further Information & Condition Report

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Alf Whiting (British 1905-1972) presents 'The Dover and Ramsgate Boats Stand By' in this watercolour piece, signed and extensively titled on the mount and further titled verso. The artwork measures 34cm x 50cm.

This captivating painting captures the dramatic rescue of the American Liberty Ship 'Western Farmer,' which collided with the Norwegian tanker 'Bjor Gholm' on the 20th August 1952, twenty miles east of Deal. The Dover lifeboat 'Southern Africa' and the Ramsgate lifeboat 'Prudential' heroically saved the entire crew of 37, aided by the light of the steam tug 'Rumania.'

Alf Whiting, a Dover lifeboat man renowned for his bravery, had a unique practice of returning from each rescue to paint the scene from memory. 'The Dover and Ramsgate Boats Stand By' is one of the rare instances where Whiting painted a lifeboat he was not aboard. At the time of this event, his legs were in plaster, preventing him from going to sea. However, the significance of this rescue prompted him to create this exceptional piece. An article featuring the artist from the East Kent Messenger on the 13th of July 1956, which showcases this very painting, is reproduced on the verso.

Discover this historical masterpiece and the remarkable story behind it at Duggleby Auctioneers.


Delivery Information

Item can be collected from our David Duggleby Salerooms, Scarborough, YO11 1XN. Delivery options available.

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