Shannon Stirnweis (Arizona, New York, New Hampshire Oregon, B. 1931) "Fort Prince of Wales" Signed lower left. Original Oil on Illustration Board painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Canada 32c Fort Prince of Wales stamp issued June 30, 1983. The first forts built in the New World by both the French and English were built by fur-traders. One of the most famous of these early forts was Fort Prince of Wales, the most northerly fortress on the North American continent. It was built by the Hudson Bay Comapny and was situated on a sand point which extended out into the bay at the mouth of Churchill River. Within the walls of the Prince of Wales, the cruel and despotic Governor Norton ruled. Also he was Indian, he had completed a nine year course of study in England which equipped him for the governorship. Unfortunately, during his education Norton had grasped many of the vices but few of the virtues of the white man and he also embodied few of the pleasing qualities of his own native people. He dressed like a native but ruled like a European prince. Frightful crimes lay at his door and few residents were sorry when the evil governor died. Apart from the crimes of Governor Norton, Fort Prince of Wales will be remembered as the starting point for Samuel Hearne's exploring expeditions which discovered the Coppermine River and exposed the myth of there being a Northwest water route to Asia from Canada. When Hearne returned from his expeditions, he succeeded Norton to the governorship of Fort Prince of Wales. It was this fine man and brave explorer who was compelled to lower the British flag to French conquerors in 1782. The Fort sustained heavy damage, but today has been restored as a National Historic Park. Image Size: 19.25 x 16.75 in. Overall Size: 23 x 20 in. Unframed. (B08159)