Paintings

In this painting RMS Titanic does not sink into the Atlantic; indeed, she makes it to New York on Tuesday, nearly a day ahead of schedule, spends the evening at anchor for Customs, and heads for her berth early Wednesday morning. Here the rounded curves of living horses, the opulent glory of carriages, the classic (and since destroyed) pier architecture, and the elegant period clothing - all come together to be part of the day that should have been. This is the first in the series of ‘What If’ paintings by James A Flood.

Behind the Scene: RMS Titanic’s story holds a special place in the collective psyche that never would have been achieved without her tragic demise. Over the passing decades she has gradually resurfaced into a new fabric and in a poignantly timely fashion, the advent of her anniversary merging with a universal longing for something that was lost. Here in this painting waits the ageless crowd, gathered in anticipation for the return of a world that perhaps never was, but yet should be; a world where beauty, symmetry, and perfection flourish.  

Titanic Sunrise

Titanic Desk Scene 

The deck view of the sinking ship, shortly after the collision, shows concern on the faces of Captain Smith, Thomas Andrews, and J. Bruce Ismay, the owner, as they head towards the viewer on their way to inspect the damage. Passengers move about on deck under the brilliantly clear nighttime starry night, their concern warding off the icy cold, their expressive gestures reflecting gradual awareness.

RMS Titanic

April 1912. The Titanic approaches Queenstown, Ireland, where she will make a one-hour call to collect her final passengers before setting sail to New York. In this painting she is cutting across St. Georges Channel, her fine lines and elegant counter stern dramatically displayed against the quiet iridescence of a fine Hibernian morning.

This painting was done by James A. Flood for dear friend and ocean liner aficionado Dr. Richard Gottlieb, who recalls with fond memories the magic of that distant morning as he entered New York Harbor onboard the QE2.

Queen Elizabeth 2 Miami Sunset

Victoria and Albert

Built in 1899, the Victoria and Albert was not commissioned until the year of Queen Victoria's death, becoming the official royal yacht of King Edward VII. The splendor of her elegant lines
and opulent furnishings provided a regal presence to many royal occasions and regattas across Europe. As the largest and most magnificent royal yacht in Europe, Victoria and Albert III served three monarchs, carrying King GerogeV and Queen Mary at the Jubilee Review of 1935, then, in 1937, King GeorgeVI and Queen Elizabeth at the Coronation Review. Learn more about this ship in our Educational Hub.

Andrea Doria 

Spartan Prince and Kronprinz Wilhelm in New York Harbor, 1901-1904  

The Kronprinz Wilhelm was an express liner of the North German Lloyd Line, which ran between New York and Bremen from 1901 to 1714. The Spartan Prince was a smaller immigrant ship of the British Prince Line, which ran between New York and the Mediterranean port from 1897 to 1908. In this painting, the two ships are depicted passing in New York Harbor during the period between 1901 and 1904.

SS Rex off the Coast of Italy  

One of the most beautiful liners ever built, the SS Rex is depicted in this painting in the Mediterranean, 1934, outward bound to the United States. In the background lies the coast of Italy. Cutting through the foreground, on port tack, witnessing sailors navigate a classic cutter-rigged yawl. Built by Ansaldo & Company, Sestri Ponente, in Genoa, Italy, 1931, the two-funnel liner wieghed 51,062 gross tons, was 880 feet long and 96 feet wide. This magnificent record breaking Italian liner held the Blue Ribbon as the world's fastest liner from 1933 until 1935.

Cunard's Monarchs of the Sea: Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2 in New York Harbor

In Commemoration of the Historic Tandem Voyage of the Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2 in April of 2004.

Queen Mary 2: Maiden Sunrise

This magnificent vessel is portrayed on the first sunrise of her maiden voyage. Having departed Southampton the evening before, she is now headed towards the Portuguese Island of Madeira. The newly risen sun bathes her in gold. Towering over 200 feet from the waterline, this colossal liner is the largest in the world. Faithfully following the Cunard tradition, the Queen Mary 2 is a worthy successor to many famous names of the past: Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth 2, Aquitania, and Mauretania, to name a few.

In this painting, SS United States is depicted departing the historic towers of downtown Manhattan in the early years of her career, her vast hull gleaming in the late afternoon sun. Pictured in the foreground is the artist and his wife, moved backward in time to the 1950’s and motoring by in their hand crafted launch Duchess, paying homage to the great liner as they wave and take photographs.

As of August 2011, $50.00 of the sale of each art paper giclée will be passed on to SS United States Conservancy for the preservation of the ship.

SS United States

This wonderful ship was never pressed beyond ¾ power and yet acheived the incredible speed of 43 knots on her trial.

RMS Queen Mary

This painting shows this Cunard speed queen in the early morning in mid ocean during the first year of her long career. The RMS Queen Mary was built by John Brown & Company, Limited in Clydebank, Scotland, for Cunard-White Star Line. She departed from Southampton for her maiden voyage on May 27th, 1936, initiating her Southampton-New York service. This singularly British liner gained popularity rapidly, and came to be cherished in both her homeland and the United States. Learn more about this ship in our Educational Hub.

RMS Mauretania

Sporting a white painted hull, this magnificent Cunard speed queen is portrayed departing New York in the early 1930's for a cruise. Reigning as the world’s fastest liner from 1907 to 1929, she was 790 feet long, 88 feet wide, and powered by steam turbines, quadruple screw. More conservative than the Lusitania, Mauretania was still exquisitely decorated. Commissioned into World War I, she carried more than 10,000 troops through three voyages to the battlefront. In 1934, after a series of mishaps, reconstructions, and bold resurgences, the Mauretania was at last removed from service. Learn more about this ship in our Educational Hub. 

SS Normandie

This painting shows this magnificent liner passing Isle de France in fog off Le Havre with French battleships Provence and Bretagne in the distance. Learn more about this ship in our Educational Hub. 

SS Florida and Iroquois

Steamers departing Port of Miami for Havana in the early 1900's.

SS Bremen

Shows this fine German blue ribbon holder heading for her home port after an Atlantic voyage.

RMS Aquitania

Built for Cunard Line, the RMS Aquitania serviced Southampton- New York. She was commissioned in World War I as an auxiliary cruiser and then as a troopship, carrying over 30,000 troops in a three month period. She also served as a troopship in World War II, making her the only Cunard ship to serve in both world wars. When not at war, she resumed her transatlantic services. In the end, she logged over 3 million miles and 1.2 million passengers in her lifetime. This painting shows this four funnel liner approaching New York in 1924. This Cunard Liner was completed in 1914 and lasted until 1951. Learn more about this ship in our Educational Hub. 

SS Normandie - Bow View

This painting shows this magnificent liner passing Isle de France in fog off Le Havre with French battleships Provence and Bretagne in the distance. Learn more about this ship in our Educational Hub. 

Queen Victoria Joins the Fleet

New York Harbor, 2008, Victoria Joins the Fleet is a painting by maritime artist James A Flood, painted in commemoration
of The Three Queens Meet in New York (Harbor) historic event. Here Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth 2, and Queen Victoria are portrayed meeting in New York Harbor on the 13th of January 2008. Spanning the background from the left is the statue of liberty followed by the skyscrapers of Newark and Manhattan. Governor’s Island and Brooklyn are visible to the far right.

Miami Roads

Commissioned by the Biscayne Bay Harbor Pilots Association, this painting depicts the hazards of being a harbor pilot in rough seas.

Biscayne Bay Harbor Pilots Website: http://www.floridapilots.com/Biscayne.htm

Debut of a Champion, RMS Mauretania Departing the Tyne, 1907

RMS Mauretania is depicted in this painting triumphantly departing the Tyne River in at the start of her illustrious career, October 1907. Thousands of proud Britons have gathered to witness the event, covering bluffs and piers and even in boats, crowding every vantage point to see this spectacular new liner. On board Mauretania are most of the management of both Cunard (owner) and Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson, Ltd. (builder). All are in a festive mood for the two-day trip around northern Scotland and into the Irish Sea to Mauretania’s new homeport of Liverpool. 

Scion of a Noble Line, the Meeting of Queen Mary and Queen Mary 2 in Long Beach, California, April 2006

This image is of a painting done by James A. Flood commemorating the meeting of Cunard's super liner of the 21st Century, the famous Queen Mary 2, and her illustrious predecessor, for whom she is named, the Queen Mary, in the month of February, 2006, in Long Beach Harbor. This was their first meeting. In this depiction, Queen Mary 2 has entered the Port of Long Beach and has come within full view of the original Queen Mary, now permanently moored in the harbor. A priceless artifact of a legendary era, the Queen Mary serves at this time as a museum, hotel, and convention center. Learn more about this ship in our Educational Hub. 

Queen Elizabeth 2: Solent Mist

The loveable veteran Queen Elizabeth 2 is portrayed in foggy conditions near the coast of England, sometime around the late 1980's. A late afternoon sun filters through the fog to burnish her vast flank in reflected gold. Behind her, in the mist, a tall school ship ghosts by. One of the best loved ships today, she represents the epitome of British quality, a viable bridge between the classic liners of the thirties and forties and today’s giant cruise ships. 

Queen Elizabeth 2 in New York Harbor

This image shows a late spring morning in 1952 at the Port of New York. The Queen Elizabeth, having set sail earlier that morning, has now progressed down to the lower bay, abeam of Staten Island and Arthur Kill. In the distance, the brand new S.S. United States, which has just captured the Blue Ribbon, steams against the backdrop of downtown Manhattan and Governor’s Island. 

Queen Mary 1936 Sea Trials, Arran Mile

This painting shows the brand new RMS Queen Mary off the coast of the Island of Arran. Here the Queen Mary is conducting her speed trials, as well as other tests, to determine her efficiency before being turned over to Cunard. The Queen Mary will pass her tests effortlessly, and continue on to a magnificent career both in war and peace. Today she is permanently berthed in the Port of Long Beach, California, open to visitors as a museum, hotel, and convention center. Learn more about this ship in our Educational Hub. 

Queen Mary 2 in the Solent

Queen Mary 2 is portrayed working up speed as she departs the Solent on a very clear, brisk day early in her career. Astern of this great new Cunarder steams the beloved Queen Elizabeth 2. These two ships are the proud upholders of a tradition that dates back to the middle of the nineteenth century. It includes such proud liners as Mauretania, Aquitania, Berengaria, Carmania, and many others. Queen Mary 2 measures 1,131 feet, 3 inches long, making this colossal liner the longest in the world. Designed to carry up to 2,620 passengers with a crew of approximately 1,250, she is capable of exceeding a speed of 30 knots.

Titanic at 1 AM

It is around one in the morning. Survivors in lifeboats watch, their attention locked onto the sinking ship as her bow gradually pitches deeper into the Atlantic waters. Although it is a moonless night, the stars are bright and numerous enough to lend an eerie luminescence. Distress signals, looking disturbingly similar to a festive fireworks display, soar upward and disappear into the stars.

Gripsholm

Here the Swedish-American Liner enters port as a repatriation ship during World War II.

The Lurline

NS Savannah

The world's only nuclear merchant ship: shown here making her way through fog in the San Francisco Harbor.

HMS Britannia in a Gale

HMS Britannia in a Gale: Restored

The Royal Charles, flagship to King Charles II

A swift and magnificent vessel, the Royal Charles, in all her incarnations, had a service life that spanned well over a century. Modified in 1693, she was renamed the HMS Queen. Later, in 1715, her salvaged parts were used to build the HMS Royal George, a ship that remained in service until her sinking at Spithead anchorage in 1783. Learn more about this ship in our Educational Hub.  

Britannia Chasing the French 

Gracefully reflecting the cavalier era of the late seventeenth century, this magnificent 100-gun battleship of King Charles II is depicted under the command of Lord Russel, seeking the French fleet in 1692 following the Battle of Barfleur.

HMS Richmond and HMS Dartmouth Tacking Up the Thames River  

During the late seventeenth century, ships navigating the Thames River depended on wind and tide, anchoring when the tide was adverse, alternatively weighing anchor and tacking with the tide at every opportunity. In this painting the two ships, HMS Richmond and HMS Dartmouth, are depicted on dramatically opposite tacks as they approach the town of Greenwich.

Soleil Royal and Britannia in Battle 

The scene in this painting depicts Soleil Royal and Britannia exchanging fire during the Battle of Barfleur in 1692. Lead by Adm. Tourvilles and sorely outnumbered, the French fleet, purportedly under order from King Louis XIV, attacked the Allied fleet, which consisted of Dutch and British ships. The battle was fierce, and in the end, the French, overwhelmed, were forced to flee, splitting into two groups. Soleil Royal, the flagship of Adm. Tourvilles, along with eleven other French ships were pressed by the Allied fleet and driven ashore at Cape La Hougue. The Allied fleet brought up their fire ships and destroyed Soleil Royal along with the other eleven French ships in the surf off la Hougue. The remainder of the French fleet, caught in the famous tidal race of Alderney, were swept to the west where they took refuge in various creeks, some driven ashore.

Breaking the Line  

In this painting, the HMS Victory, under the command of Admiral Nelson, is depicted breaking the battle line of the French & Spanish combined fleet at the onset of the Battle of Trafalgar. In the distance Vice Admiral Collingwood, leading the second column aboard the Royal Sovereign, is already engaged in exchanging fire in the second breach.

Lady Montegue

Lady Montague is one of the artist’s few fictional ships; that is to say, one will find no actual historical record of such a ship. James named her after the wife of the first Earl of Sandwich, Edward Montague (an older spelling of the name) (1625 – 1673), a man he came to greatly admire through the writings of Samuel Pepys (1633 - 1703). After coming across a picture of Montegue’s wife, Jemima, and finding her beautiful, he decided that an equally beautiful ship must be her namesake. Lady Montegue represents the last of the elegant clipper ships that dominated sea trade throughout most of the nineteenth century. In this painting, Lady Montegue is depicted departing the English Channel in the early 1900’s. Learn more about this ship in our Educational Hub.  

Midnight Shipping off Newport

Moonlight presides in this painting depicting merchant activities off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island, late in the nineteenth century. Just beyond the small boat dim lights of various Newport mansions can be seen twinkling along the shoreline. Off to the left, marking the location of the Brenton reef, shine the two bright lights of the Brenton Reef Lightship.

Battle of Texel, 1673

The Battle of Texel during the third Dutch war took place just off the Dutch coast August 21, 1673. The Dutch fleet consisting of approximately 75 ships of the line was under the command of the accomplished Lieutenant-Admiral Michiel de Ruijter. The opposition was an allied fleet of approximately 30 French and 60 British ships and included Sir Edward Spragge leading the British fleet. In this painting, Sir Edward Spragge is depicted being rowed towards the Royal Charles, his intended third change of flagship after the first two had been damaged beyond use during the long summer day battle. All is soon to end for him in moments when a cannon ball strikes and everyone onboard the longboat perishes. Learn more about this ship in our Educational Hub.

Tryptic, the HMS Prince

USS Boston 1799

1799 Boston Frigate in Boston Harbor

www.ussboston.org 

Hampton Court

This lovely 70-gun, double-decker ship, built under King Charles II, was named after the Hampton Court Palace. She was a participant in many of the battles of the second and third Dutch War during the latter half of the seventeenth century. 

Rendezvous at Sunset  

During the restoration period, naval ships were designed with an eye towards beauty as well as war. In this painting, His Britannic Majesty’s Fleet of King Charles II is depicted after reconnaissance during the Third Anglo-Dutch War, the setting sun illuminating the full glory of this magnificent naval force as the ships execute a combining maneuver to bring them into a line ahead in order to ascend the Thames River. Here the 80-gun HMS Hampton Court follows the beautiful new 100-gun ship of the line, HMS Royal Charles, accompanied by other ships of the line and two royal yachts.  

Royal Yacht Regatta

Presented to the Duke of Edinburgh in 1996, this painting represents a vast array of royal yachts, both past and present.

Gondola

Santissima Trinidad

Lady Diane

USS Boston 1776

USS Boston 1840

Clipper Ship

This painting depicts a clipper ship sailing off the coast of California.

Royal Clipper

HMS Prince

HMS Repulse 1936  

This painting depicts her first post refit entry into Portsmouth, just following her sea trails, gleaming and spic and span in her fresh paint. Such occasions would bring a considerable number of onlookers. This crowd is struck by the stunning elegance of her fierce and majestic symmetry. Originally designed in 1914 to be a Royal Sovereign Battleship, the building of the HMS Repulse was halted by the onset of WWI. When building reinitialized later in the year, after the Falkland’s battle, it was determined that she was to be instead a battle cruiser, a much larger vessel than the original design). Learn more about this ship in our Educational Hub.  

USS Olympia  

Admiral Dewey''s flagship brand new in 1885. The elaborate scroll work on her bow and stern was removed sometime before her famous action at Manila Bay in 1998 and shipped to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis where it can be seen today. 

USS Oklahoma 

The two ships of the Oklahoma class, USS Nevada and USS Oklahoma, were authorized in 1911 and launched in 1912. The Oklahoma displaced 34,000 tons, with an overall length of 583 feet, and a beam of 107 feet, 11 inches. Her reciprocating engines produced 25,300 horsepower through twin screws driving the ship at 20.5 knots. Learn more about this ship in our Educational Hub. 

USS Maine  

Showing the flag at Havana in 1898. The first morning. This singularly beautiful second-class armored battleship was commissioned in 1895. She eventually joined the forces developing off the Coast of Cuba, as the struggle between Spain and the revolutionary forces of Cuba heightened. Tragically, on the evening of February 15th, her entire forward part erupted in an explosion which ultimately killed 260 of the 350 aboard. Although she was raised for investigation in 1910, the true cause of the explosion was never resolved to everyone's satisfaction, and remains a mystery. Learn more about this ship in our Educational Hub.  

This painting depicts this wonderful battleship (the most decorated in the Navy) in her 1960's configuration. It was painted for her 50th anniversary. 

USS New Jersey, Vesion 2

Revised version of the original USS New Jersey painting. 

USS Pennsylvania 

Bow view. Flagship U.S. Fleet 1916 - 1945. This painting shows the ship in her prime in 1936 forging through the Pacific rollers. 

USS California 

Shown departing New York Harbor around 1936. 

USS West Virginia 

Shows this battle wagon departing Brooklyn Navy Yard in the early 1930's.

USS Texas BB35 

This magnificent ship, the only remaining dreadnaught battleship in the world to be preserved of her era, is now moored at the San Jacinto Memorial, la Porte Texas, where she is open to visitors. This painting shows her in her prime, paintwork spotless and brightwork shined, in her Atlantic flagship role. She is depicted in this painting departing New York Harbor around 1938.

Pacific Bulwark

In this painting the fleet flagship Pennsylvania leads the 1930's US battleship fleet in artillery exercises.

USS Boston CAG 1

This painting of the world's first guided missile cruiser was one of seven paintings by the artist depicting the different ships so named in US history.

HMS Repulse 1937

Portrays the elegant British battle cruiser at firing practice during the 1930's. Learn more about this ship in our Educational Hub.

USS Boston CA-69

The ship is displayed off Truk on the 30th of April 1944 ably defending herself from enemy air attack. She has just scored a direct hit on a Japanese torpedo bomber.

USS Boston SSN-703

This nuclear sub is depicted inbound from a cruise and was executed for the USS Boston Shipmates, ably defending herself from enemy air attack. She has just scored a direct hit on a Japanese torpedo bomber.

USS Oklahoma 1936

Depicts this proud ship departing Portsmouth Harbour, England, in 1936. Learn more about this ship in our Educational Hub.

USS Arizona

Portrays this famous battleship in happier times in 1936 departing Pearl Harbor. The Navy yard is visible off her bow. Ford Island with a New Mexico class battleship is in the background off her stern.

USS Pennsylvania, San Francisco

Flagship US fleet passing beneath the newly completed Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, as part of the opening ceremonies in 1937.

The Homecoming

This work shows USS New Jersey, the most decorated ship in the Navy, returning to her home waters to become a memorial on Veteran's Day 1999.

USS Nevada

This fine battle wagon is displayed in heavy seas during the 1930's.

USS Alabama

The USS Alabama is portrayed at sunset in the Pacific Ocean, as she engages in battle.

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HMS Exeter's Final Battle

HMS Exeter is portrayed fighting her last battle on 1st March 1942, after being trapped by Japanese forces in the Java Sea. Already justly famous for her part in the December 1939 South Atlantic engagement known as The Battle of the River Plate--which led to the destruction of the German ‘pocket’ battleship Admiral Graf Spee off Montevideo--HMS Exeter was herself cornered and sunk in similar circumstances. Learn more about this ship in our Educational Hub.

HMS Duke of York

USS Modoc: United States Coast Gaurd Cutter Modoc (USS Modoc CG WPG-46)

In maritime battle history, much has been written about the interception and sinking of the Bismarck. In a four-day battle sequence riddled with stories of the unexpected, one of the most dramatic is that of the US Coast Guard Cutter Modoc; a small ship caught up in the middle of a very big battle. Fog, mistaken identity, and the providence of a jammed mechanism all play a role in her singular wartime adventure. On May 24th, 1941, the Bismarck mistakes the Modoc for an enemy ship. The Bismarck takes aim to fire, but the signal flag acknowledging the order to commence fire jams, delaying the firing of guns. Before the issue is resolved, the Modoc vanishes into the safety of the mist. Learn more about this ship in our Educational Hub. 

USS Tennessee

Badden

Featuring 15-inch guns, this ship was considered the ultimate in WWI class German Battleships. 

Chauncy

USS Boston

In service during the turn of the century.

The Franklin D. Roosevelt

The Dougherty

The Dougherty (Side View)

This painting depicts the Dougherty off Awak Island in the Aleutians.

USS Langley

A light carrier, the USS Langley is displayed recovering from a 70-degree roll as she navigates the famous typhoon of 1944.

USS Texas

LST 32

The Hazelwood

USS New Jersey (Side View)

Macon

Rogers

Oriskany

USS Arkansas

Old in the twenties and never modernized, this battleship was one of the oldest, slowest, and least protected of the battleships to heroically survive WWII. 

USS Arkansas Link: Dictionary of Amercian Fighting Naval Ships: USS ARKANSAS