Schooner America and Sloop of War Marion leave Boston in the Summer of 1863

oil, 30" x 40"

$55,000

After her victory in 1851, AMERICA went on to other challenges, serving as part of the Union Navy. AMERICA was scuttled by the Confederates in Dunn's Creek approximately 70 miles up St John's River from Jacksonville in March 1862. Thomas H. Stevens, a Lieutenant in the Union Navy, found her, raised her and she was taken to Port Royal, South Carolina where she was dried out, masts re-stepped and she was put to blockade duty. near Rattlesnake Shoal, Charleston from June 1862 to March 1863. She captured or forced ashore three Confederate blockade runners during that time. In 1863, she served as a United States Naval Training Ship. That summer she visited Boston together with the sloops of war MARION and MACEDONIAN.

 In this painting Schooner AMERICA, distinguished by her unique round cockpit, with all her sails pulling hard as the fresh breeze sails across the bow of MARION. MARION is still busy lowering her foresail and mainsail and hoisting one of her jibs. She is sailing under a reduced rig with no yards "crossed' on the topmast sections. On board AMERICA can be seen the 24 pounder Dahlgren deck guns that she carried to apprehend Confederate blockade runners. Sections of her deck are wet from water splashing aboard. Crew are hauling in the jib sheet on the port side for'ard. A cloud casts a shadow on the foreground water but sunlight lights up the water around AMERICA. and MARION, and creates a wonderful glow through AMERICA's cotton sails. The old North Church, in the background is also sunlit but a shadow passes over the buildings and ships along part of the waterfront Trees can be seen on Cropp's Hill, behind the MARION. On the right-hand side, a schooner's sails flap as she tacks. She has furled her jib in preparation for anchoring.