The 'Times' was originally built as a barque by Sebire at Les Banques in 1854. Its length of keel was 122ft, overall 150ft, beam 24ft, depth 15ft 4ins, 350 tons of old measurement. Its upperworks were of mahogany, remainder English oak, owned by Wm. Le Lacheur and employed in the Punta Arenas (Costa Rica) Coffee Trade. In 1877 it was sold to John Hamley for the stone trade and converted into a barquentine. Her sheer was altered at the same time by raising her 21ins at the bow. She was lost off Cromer, March 1888. Spencer is known for his portraits of ships, and is thought to be the brother of William Barnett Spencer, also a painter of ship portraits. Both brothers also painted sea battles.