Charles J Lundgren (New York, Connecticut, 1911 – 1988) “U.S.S. Georgia” Signed lower right. Original First Day Cover oil painting on Masonite.
Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.
This painting appeared on the Fleetwood Commemorative Cover for the U.S.S. Georgia.
The U.S.S. Georgia received her commission on 24 September 1906 with Captain R.G. Davenport in command. Her first tour of duty made her the flagship for the Atlantic Fleet Division 2, Squadron 1. After completing gunnery practice off Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, she joined the rest of the Atlantic Fleet at the Jamestown Exposition on 10 June 1907, and passed in review of President Theodore Roosevelt, who proclaimed 11 June Georgia Day. Then, the U.S.S. Georgia sailed with the Fleet for target practice. During these drills, a powder charge ignited prematurely in her aft 8-inch turret, killing 10 officers and men. Repaired and refitted in a matter of weeks, the powerful battleship participated in the tercentenary of the landing of the first English Colonists 16-21 August, 1907. Perhaps U.S.S. Georgia’s proudest moment came on 16 December 1907 as she passed in review of President Roosevelt along with fifteen other battleships, a torpedo squadron and transport vessels. This was the great naval review preceding the cruise of the Atlantic Fleet to the west coast. This first leg of the “Great White Fleet” received international acclaim and stirred the hearts of the American people. The onset of World War I found the U.S.S. Georgia in American waters running training and gunnery exercises. She was reassigned to the 3rd Division, Battleship Force as an escort vessel, and, at War’s end, she was attached to the Cruiser and Transport Force.
Image Size: 13.5 x 15.5 in.
Overall Size: 20.75 x 21.75 in.
Unframed.