Charles J Lundgren (New York, Connecticut, 1911 - 1988) "U.S.S. Kansas" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting 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. Kansas. The U.S.S. Kansas was commissioned on 18 April 1907 with Captain Charles B. Vreeland in command. The new battleship then sailed to Hampton Roads to become part of the famous "Great White Fleet." On 9 December 1907 she passed in review before President Theodore Roosevelt while getting underway for the first leg of the Fleet's historic world cruise. After circling the globe, she again passed in review before President Roosevelt on 22 February 1909 ending a widely acclaimed voyage of good will, which also subtly, but effectively, demonstrated America's strength to the world. She was then assigned to the 2nd Battleship Division which sailed for Europe in November 1910. Upon the U.S.S. Kansas' return to the States in 1911, she was pressed into duty by the the United States Naval Academy for midshipman training cruises. However, the U.S.S. Kansas was called to special service on 1 July 1913 to bear the body of the Venezuelan ambassador to the United States back to La Guaira. She remained along the South American coast to investigate reports of revolutionary activities and forestall armed anti-American insurrections. The U.S.S. Kansas spent the majority of World War I as a training vessel before becoming the flagship for Rear Admiral Charles F. Hughes, Commander of Battleship Division 4, Squadron 2. Image Size: 13.5 x 15.5 in. Overall Size: 20.5 x 21.75 in. Unframed. (B09757)