Charles J Lundgren (New York, Connecticut, 1911 - 1988) "U.S.S. California" Signed lower right. Original Oil on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood Commemorative Cover for the U.S.S. California. The nuclear-powered Guided Missile Cruiser U.S.S. California ranks among the most modern ships in the U.S. Navy. Designated CGN 36, she was launched on 22 September 1971 and commissioned on 16 February 1974 with Captain Floyd H. Miller, Jr. in command. After completing her shakedown cruise during 1975, the U.S.S. California was assigned to the Sixth Fleet. She departed for the Fleet in the Mediterranean on 7 July 1976, and sailed between the Mediterranean and Norfolk Shipyard several times during the next five years. On 14 April 1981, the U.S.S. California left Norfolk for the Mediterranean, and, in company with the U.S.S. America, she transited the Suez Canal to the Indian Ocean. Later on this same voyage, she became the first nuclear-powered U.S. vessel to circumnavigate the globe since the U.S.S. Enterprise had done so seventeen years earlier. During this voyage, on 15 July 1981, while in the Arabian Sea, she was called to rescue thirty-nine crewmen from the Greek freighter Irines Sincerity. Returning to Norfolk 20 November 1981, she was scheduled for a major overhaul and refitting. She was later re-assigned from Norfolk to Alameda, California and the Pacific Fleet. After 1984, the U.S.S. California has participated in numerous maneuvers throughout the Pacific including calls on ports in the Philippines, Australia and British Columbia, while operating out of Alameda. Image Size: 13.5 x 15.75 in. Overall Size: 20.5 x 21.75 in. Unframed. (B11077)