Built by Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd on the Tyne in 1948. As a refrigerated cargo ship, Rialto was used on the Hull - North Atlantic route to Montreal and New York. Founded in 1822 the Wilson Line engaged mainly in the Baltic and Scandinavian trade with Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia and then across the Atlantic to America and Canada The Wilson Line was heavily involved in ferrying emigrants from Europe to the USA. Rialto represents the huge worldwide trade that Hull was involved in down the centuries and the many merchant navy seamen who sailed from the port.
Painting kindly sponsored by the Hull Independent Merchant Navy association. Mr Charles Marr and an anonymous donor.
