'Amazonas' off Gravesend

 

F. L. Blanchard

 

1898  

ink wash drawing with gouache highlights 

6 3/16 x 11 5/8" image 

ink, ilower right image 

 

pencil titled, lower left; Reeves & Sons Bristol Board blindstamp in lower right corner; on verso: Daily Graphic 5 9664 Today" 

 

antique-white bristol board 

 

 

18707 

$450.00 

The "Amazonas", later known as the USS New Orleans CL-22, was built in 1895 at Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, for the Brazilian Navy during the end of the Spanish-American war. A 3,769-ton protected cruiser, she was purchased by the U.S. in 1898, wherein she joined the Flying Squadron fleet off Santiago de Cuba. There, she sailed on blockade between San Juan, Puerto Rico and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, capturing the French blockade runner Olinde Rodrigues on July 17. She was later sent to New Orleans for her peacetime service until May of 1899. The rest of her career was spent on Asiatic tours up through 1920, and by 1921 she was decomissioned, and was sold for scrapping in 1930. This image was probably done on or near March 18, 1898, when the Amazonas was commissioned at Gravesend with Lieutenant Commander Arthuer P. Nazro at the helm.