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Portrait of Robert Ratliff, Rigger, an Old Royal Navy Man
ONE OF THE fine paintings at the Peter Foulger Museum is that of Robert Ratliff, a retired rigger, in his 85th year, a resident of Our Island Home. Painted by the famous artist, Eastman Johnson, in December, 1879, the portrait is one of the finest canvases from Johnson's experienced hand. Of particular notice, after the strong features of the old sailor are studied, is the position of his hands — strong fingers on hands which once plied the rigger's trade. Robert Ratliff was born at Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, February 23, 1794. At the age of 12 he was an apprentice seaman on a British transport, where he served for seven years, seeing much active service in a number of battles fought in the North Sea. At the age of 20, Ratliff was transferred to the frigate Bellerophon, the Royal Navy vessel which took Napoleon to St. Helena, and one of twelve men selected from the ship's company of 700 to guard the depos ed Emperor of the French. In conversation with Frederick Sanford of Nantucket many years after, Ratliff described the Emperor walking the quarterdeck on fair days during the voyage, dressed in a green coat with insignia, and wearing close fitting breeches and a military hatj with decorations on his left breast. Sometimes Napoleon would lean against a deck gun for a rest in his pacing. "Napoleon appeared to accept his fate with as much fortitude and composure as could be expected under the circumstances," stated the old seaman in response to the inevitable question. Robert Ratliff became a merchant sailor following his Royal Navy career, and in 1820 was on a ship wrecked in the shoals off Nantucket, and was among the crew members who were saved. This cir cumstance, and the ready employment for his trade as a rigger, induc ed him to stay on the Island — and his success in his loft on Old South Wharf kept him on Nantucket the rest of his life. Retiring at the age of 80, he went to live in Our Island Home, where he died in 1883 in his 89th year.
