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She was a sister ship of the USS Constitution. The USS Chesapeake was one of the original six frigates authorized by the Naval Act of 1794 – which created the U.S. Painting of the Engagement between the Frigates Chesapeake and Shannon It was prominently displayed in the White House while he was president. FDR purchased this painting in 1926 from the American Art Association for $150.

You can see the crew fleeing in small boats as the smoking General Armstrong starts to go under. But when Reid realized he would not be able to escape he ordered the General Armstrong scuttled. Captain Sam Chester Reid fought off the British Carnation and several smaller gunships. This battle took place on Septemoff the coast of the Azores. The well–known painting of George Washington crossing the Delaware was done by Leutze. This painting (MO 1941.3.189) of the privateer brig the General Armstrong is by one of the most famous artists represented in the collection, Emanuel Leutze. The General Armstrong Surrounded by the British Fleet at Fayal, the Azores This painting hung in the hallway of FDR’s beloved Top Cottage home in Hyde Park.įDR studied naval history from the time he was a young boy and was particularly interested in what is called “the age of fighting sail” roughly 1650 to 1865. Less than a month later the Constitution sank the Guerriere. The chase went on for 57 hours before the Royal Navy finally gave up their pursuit. Captain Isaac Hull ordered the crew to man the lifeboats and row away from a squadron of five British ships which can be seen in the distance. In this scene, just off the coast of New Jersey, the Constitution is becalmed.

It also depicts a famous, although less bombastic, encounter between Old Ironsides and the Royal Navy during the War of 1812. Garcia in 1933, and was given to FDR by his cabinet as a birthday gift in 1935. The second one (MO 1969.30) was painted by Horatio G.

The Constitution pursued by the English Squadron The artist is unknown but the painting probably dates from the mid-19 th century. This is a large dramatic piece and if you look closely you can see American sailors preparing to board their prize. The story goes that the cannon balls of the Guerriere bounced off the hard oak sides of the Constitution, and one of the crew called out “Her sides are made of IRON!” After a ferocious exchange of cannon fire, the British ship, the HMS Guerriere, has been demasted and sits helplessly in the water while the Constitution is in position to deliver a final fatal broadside. The first (MO 1941.3.185) depicts the battle during the War of 1812 in which the ship gained its nickname.

There are dozens of images of the Constitution in the collection but these two tell stories that illustrate why FDR was fascinated with this ship. There is one ship FDR loved above all others, the USS Constitution, Old Ironsides, so we will start there. I have selected a few paintings to provide a glimpse into this remarkable collection. Like his naval manuscripts and ship models, the paintings generally fall into three categories: Major battles historic ships or a connection to his family. You can see from this photo of his private study at the White House he liked to surround himself with his favorite paintings. Some are still in his home Springwood, but most are in the FDR Presidential Library and Museum. Sparrow – Director, FDR Libraryįranklin Roosevelt collected more than 5,000 maritime prints, paintings and etchings during his life.