U.S.S. Constitution Off the Barbary Coast: by Geoff Hunt, R.S.M.A.
This is a painting of the U.S.S. Constitution cruising off the Barbary Coast, during the war against the Barbary Pirates. One of the most famous and distinguished ships in the history of the United States Navy, the Constitution fought in the war against the Barbary Pirates and the War of 1812. She was nicknamed “Old Ironsides” by her crew, a reference to her sturdy live oak planking. After she was withdrawn from active service, she was saved from the scrap heap with the aid of a stirring poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes, which aroused public sentiment in favor of her preservation. The Constitution was thereafter beautifully restored, and currently rides at anchor in Boston Harbor.
I have always admired the beauty and history of the U.S.S. Constitution. After seeing her at anchor in Boston Harbour a few years ago, I wondered what she would look like under sail. I am a big fan of Geoff Hunt's cover paintings for the Patrick O'Brian books, and thought that he would be the perfect artist to paint the Constitution for me. I commissioned the painting, and gave him very little direction, requiring only that the ship be portrayed under sail. Mr. Hunt produced this wonderful painting for me. The Constitution is seen with the other ships of its squadron, off the Barbary Coast. At this time, the ship was under the command of Commodore Edward Preble, one of the most able commanders of the American sailing Navy.
Geoff doesn't have a web page that I know of, but you can see some of his prints for sale at this
LINK.Geoff Hunt Books at Amazon.com:
The Tall Ship in ArtMaster And Commander (The first in Patrick O’Brian’s splendid series with cover art by Geoff Hunt.Old Ironsides
by Oliver Wendell Holmes
- AY, tear her tattered ensign down!
- Long has it waved on high,
- And many an eye has danced to see
- That banner in the sky;
- Beneath it rung the battle shout,
- And burst the cannon’s roar;–
- The meteor of the ocean air
- Shall sweep the clouds no more!
- Her deck, once red with heroes’ blood,
- Where knelt the vanquished foe,
- When winds were hurrying o’er the flood,
- And waves were white below,
- No more shall feel the victor’s tread,
- Or know the conquered knee;–
- The harpies of the shore shall pluck
- The eagle of the sea!
- O, better that her shattered hulk
- Should sink beneath the wave;
- Her thunders shook the mighty deep,
- And there should be her grave;
- Nail to the mast her holy flag,
- Set every threadbare sail,
- And give her to the god of storms,
- The lightning and the gale!
- Long has it waved on high,
AUTHOR’S NOTE By Oliver Wendell Holmes
[Old Ironsides] was the popular name by which the frigate Constitution was known. The poem was first printed in the Boston Daily Advertiser, at the time when it was proposed to break up the old ship as unfit for service. I subjoin the paragraph which led to the writing of the poem. It is from the Advertiser of Tuesday, September 14, 1830:–
“Old Ironsides.— It has been affirmed upon good authority that the Secretary of the Navy has recommended to the Board of Navy Commissioners to dispose of the frigate Constitution. Since it has been understood that such a step was in contemplation we have heard but one opinion expressed, and that in decided disapprobation of the measure. Such a national object of interest, so endeared to our national pride as Old Ironsides is, should never by any act of our government cease to belong to the Navy, so long as our country is to be found upon the map of nations. In England it was lately determined by the Admiralty to cut the Victory, a one-hundred gun ship (which it will be recollected bore the flag of Lord Nelson at the battle of Trafalgar), down to a seventy-four, but so loud were the lamentations of the people upon the proposed measure that the intention was abandoned. We confidently anticipate that the Secretary of the Navy will in like manner consult the general wish in regard to the Constitution, and either let her remain in ordinary or rebuild her whenever the public service may require.”–New York Journal of Commerce.