This is an original period image from the Library of Congress, the National Archives and other quality sources restored and tinted by the internationally known color artist and author of "Restoring and Tinting Vintage Images", David Richardson. This is an exclusive listing of his work on ebay.
Each image is taken from a high resolution negative and then cleaned of blemishes, damage, scratches, and whatever the decades have caused. Then the image is carefully brought back to life by adding color to the black and white image. By using these techniques the hands of time are turned back and for the first time you can see the images in color as they might have been on the day they were taken.
You have your choice of size and finish for the photo. Note that the size you choose may require cropping and the finished image may appear slightly different than the one shown. If preferred a white border can be added above/below or left/right to allow all of the original image to print. Unless requested when placing your order, your image may be cropped. If you would like to see how a specific image will look for the size you have chosen, please contact us and indicate the size you are interested in.
Matte Finish:
E-Surface Photo Paper is by far our most popular photographic paper. As a professional paper, it boasts rich, sharp color that won't fade or yellow, creating beautiful prints that will last for years to come.
Glossy (Metallic) finish:
Our Metallic Photo Paper features a unique pearlescent surface. It offers highly saturated colors, ultra-bright backgrounds, and will last a lifetime with typical home storage.
U.S.S. monitor Catskill
Deck and officers
Charleston Harbor, S.C., 1865
The old seaman's expression, "Shiver my timbers! would have to be changed to "Unrivet my bolts!", British magazine Punch, after Monitor vs Merrimac Battle
After the March, 1862, Battle of Hampton Roads, both sides were eager to add ironclads to their naval fleet. US Sec of the Navy, Gideon Welles, received $13 million from Congress to order 56 monitor class ironclads. Monitor inventor, John Ericsson tweaked his design by placing the anchor well of the USS Catskill inside the ironclad's overhanging bow. Thereby, protecting the crew from enemy fire as the anchor was lowered or raised by a windlass.
She first reported for duty in February of 1863, as part of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. During the August 17, 1863, Second Battle of Charleston Harbor, a shell fired from Ft. Sumter hit the pilothouse, loosening a piece of iron that flew through the cabin killing Commander Rodgers and the assistant paymaster.
Following the war, she returned to the Philadelphia Naval Yard and was decommissioned in July of 1865. During this time many of the Civil War era ships were placed in reserve for the possibility of future service. In 1873, she was called back to service and was commissioned in 1875 but was again put in storage in 1877. With the outbreak of the Spanish-American war in 1898, she was once again brought back for service. This last commission lasted only from April to September of 1898, when she was once again put in storage. Finally, in December of 1901, she was sold for scrap and stricken from the Navy records.