Yes Dave, I'm inclined to think this is artistic licence.😉

If it's a painting then unless the artist claims it is a picture of a particular ship it could just be his/her interpretation of a sailing vessel.
dave976

Now the reason I have asked if anyone can identify this boat is because it has me puzzled. It is from a painting, and allegedly is pictured on the River Wyre near its mouth at Fleetwood.
What puzzles me is the arrangement of spars. The boat appears to be a square rigger at first glance, but there are gaffs, in fact two gaffs on each mast ????? And they all show sails furled, ready to drop. Can this be correct ????
Anyone !
Any ideas ?
Is this artistic licence ??
😉

Hi J. Ugly your avatar suggests that was a good night out! Did the missus take the picture?
Roy

I guessed Brig whaler right away, but the Lateen rigs make me tend towards a Brigantine. 😊

Google imsges suggests that it could be a New Bedforf Whaleboat. However, the lack if loads of small boats hung from davits would suggest otherwise.

I think it must be a Dutch boat with retractable keel that could navigate on the Dutch “Zuiderzee” I hat could land on the sandbanks with low tide and sail again when the tide rises