North Atlantic Gale, U.S.S. Constitution, 1812

oil, 20” x 30”

$7,500

In the year 1812, the U.S.S. Frigate Constitution was sent across the Atlantic to rendezvous with the squadron in the Mediterranean. It was a storied passage that time and time again tested the stoutly built frigate to her limits.

In this painting, the ship is shown as she tried to battle her way out of a North Atlantic gale. The sea is confused and storm wracked, and the sky is streaked with interwoven bolts of lightning. The Constitution is seen with her t’gallant masts let down through the top mast crosstrees and under shortened topsails and a fore topmast staysail. The ship’s boats are lashed firmly to their davits and the hammocks can be clearly seen stowed in their netting along the rails. Details of the ship’s appearance at this time in her career were taken from the “Anatomy of a Ship Series: The Frigate U.S.S. Constitution,” as well as “A Most Fortunate Ship” by the former Constitution Commander Tyrone Martin.

North Atlantic Gale, USS Constitution, 1812, oil, 26” x 35” framed dimensions