Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Painting of the Engagement between the Frigates Chesapeake and Shannon
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Painting of the Engagement between the Frigates Chesapeake and Shannon

Artifact IDMO 1957.50
Object Type Painting
Maker
Date1813
Mediumoil on canvas on board
Dimensionsframe H 16 1/8 in x W 18 1/8 in (41 cm x 46 cm )
 painting (canvas on board) H 12 1/4 in x W 14 1/4 in x D 1 1/8 in (31.1 cm x 36.2 cm x 2.9 cm )
Physical DescriptionA painting of the engagement between the frigates, USS CHESAPEAKE and HMS SHANNON, on June 1, 1813 off Boston, Massachusetts. The two ships, both three-masted sailing ships with some sails unfurled, are seen side-by-side with the sterns facing the foreground. The CHESAPEAKE, with multiple American flags, is on the right and also has a banner flying from the top of a mast with the message: A FREE TRADE / SAILORS RITE. The SHANNON, flying a British flag, is on the left with a rowboat next to it. Smoke is seen drifting up into the sky, and cannon fire is visible between the two ships. In the left background, more sailing vessels and a shoreline can be seen in the distance.

The painting is framed in a 2 3/8" dark wood frame with gilt inner trim. Several paper tags are attached to the reverse of the frame. One is a gold colored tag with the printed number "151" attached to the frame with a thumbtack. The other is a white adhesive label with the printed number "179".
Historical NoteFranklin Roosevelt was an avid, lifelong collector of prints, engravings, and paintings illustrating the history of the United States Navy. He purchased this painting of the USS CHESAPEAKE (1799) and the HMS SHANNON (1806) from E. M. Lawson and Co., Sutton Coldfield, England in 1925 for £12/10.
Additional Details
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.
In Collection(s)
Not on view