"U.S.S. "Constitution" Under Sail" by Paul McGehee. The "Constitution", the legendary three-masted heavy frigate, part of the original United States Naval Fleet, was so named by the Father of our Country, George Washington, 1st President of the United States. Having been launched in 1797 and still with us today, she is the world's oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat. She was built of stout timbers from Maine to Georgia, made fast by copper bolts and spikes supplied by Paul Revere. In her long and storied career she fought the best of the navies of France and Britain, and defeated the bloodthirsty Barbary Pirates. During the War of 1812 "Constitution" not only headed up the blockade of Boston but captured several merchant ships and defeated several British warships in violent broadside cannon battles. During the battle with the "Guerriere" off the Gulf of St. Lawrence it was observed that the British cannonballs were bouncing off of the hull of "Constitution", earning her the nickname of "Old Ironsides". By 1830, however, there was talk of scrapping the aging warship, but she dodged destruction in part due to the efforts of American writer Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. having written a stirring poem about her exploits. Her life as a naval warship continued. During the Civil War years she served as a training ship at the United States Naval Academy. In 1878 when the "World's Fair" of the day, the "Paris Exposition", was held in France, the "Constitution" was employed to carry the latest in American machinery and artworks across the Atlantic Ocean to be put on display. It was a great honor for "Old Ironsides" to represent her country. The ship was retired in 1881, but they couldn't keep the old girl down...instead of heading for the scrapyard, the fate awaiting most vessels of her age, the 84-year-old frigate worked as a receiving ship and following that was designated a naval museum in 1907. By the late 1920's, however, she was showing her age. But...every schoolchild back then knew the famous poem, and wanted to save the ship. A nationwide effort was mounted, in what became known as the "Pennies Campaign" where children in schools across the land donated pennies towards the restoration of "Old Ironsides". The well-publicized collective classroom campaign into the early 1930's saved the ship. By way of thanking America for her beautiful restoration, the U.S.S. "Constitution" was re-commissioned and toured 90 ports across the land, being towed by a naval minesweeper, the "Grebe". In 1940 and during the ensuing years of World War II, the "Constitution" continued her commission as the flagship of the United States Fleet. She was still flying the flag of her country during wartime, 143 years after her launching during the Revolutionary War. Her ongoing restoration and maintenance continues to this day in Boston Harbor, where she is a major tourist attraction. And for certain ceremonies and special days, she can once again be seen under sail, her great white sails billowing in the breeze...she is living history. "U.S.S. "Constitution" Under Sail" is an archival quality limited edition print of only 2,000 pieces, faithfully reproduced from Paul's original oil painting, each print hand-signed by the artist. Print image size: 10 5/8" x 16 3/8".