Charles J Lundgren (New York, Connecticut, 1911 - 1988) "U.S.S. North Dakota" Signed lower right. Oil 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. North Dakota. The U.S.S. North Dakota was the first United States Navy vessel to be driven by high powered turbine engines. Her construction began when her hull was laid down on 16 December 1907. She was commissioned on 11 April 1910 with Commander Charles P. Plunkett in command. In her first years, U.S.S North Dakota operated with the Atlantic Fleet in maneuvers along the East Coast and in the Caribbean. She sailed on 2 November 1910 for her first transAtlantic voyage. She visited England and France before returning to the Caribbean. In the summers of 1912 and 1913 she conducted training missions with Naval Academy midshipmen off New England waters, and on 1 January 1913, she sailed to New York and joined in the honor escort for the Natal, the Brazilian ship which carried the body of the late Whitelaw Reid, U.S. Ambassador to Brazil. On one of her few tours of combat duty, U.S.S. North Dakota sailed for Vera Cruz, Mexico, as political disturbances in Mexico strained relations with the United States. She cruised the Mexican coastline protecting American interests until a more stable government took office. She returned to Norfolk to carry out extensive training programs and gunnery drills for the Atlantic Fleet as World War I erupted. She continued to perform this service until she was decommissioned on 22 November 1923. Image Size: 13.5 x 15.75 in. Overall Size: 20.5 x 21.75 in. Unframed. (B10347)