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"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.
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