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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Drawing of the Battle of Mobile Bay
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Drawing of the Battle of Mobile Bay

Object numberMO 1942.192.7
Name Drawing
Artist
Date1864
MediumPaper (wove), Paint (watercolor), Pencil (graphite)
Dimensionsoverall (irregular width) H 7 11/16 in x W 10 1/2 in (19.5 cm x 26.7 cm )
DescriptionAn original pencil and watercolor drawing depicting the August 5, 1864 Battle of Mobile Bay. It depicts a scene on the water with a number of war vessels, some afloat and some sinking. In the background, prominently visible, is a large, three-masted screw sloop-of-war with a single smokestack, sails furled, and an American flag flying at the stern. A smaller, partially visible vessel behind the bow of the ship is seen afire and sinking. In the foreground, three other naval vessels are visible: a small, partially-sunken Confederate sidewheel steamer to the left, and a Union paddle-wheel casemate ironclad and a Canonicus-class monitor to the right. The drawing is signed by the artist in the lower right: G. A. Friedrich.
Label TextFranklin Roosevelt was an avid, lifelong collector of prints, engravings, and paintings illustrating the history of the United States Navy. As part of his collecting, FDR acquired hundreds of artwork pieces illustrating the naval history of the American Civil War, including this drawing of the Battle of Mobile Bay.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated as a bequest of Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesUnited States Navy Materials (National Archives Identifier 782673)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
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Non exposé