Original Spanish-American War Lithograph SINKING OF THE MERRIMAC Santiago Cuba For Sale

Original1899 antique lithograph: The Sinking of theMerrimac, one of the most dramatic events of the SpanishAmerican War.

• The Merrimacwas a collier (coal supplyvessel) that had suffered continual breakdowns and was selected to besacrificed on a "suicide" mission to block the narrow channel leadinginto Santiago Harbor and keep the Spanish fleet from leaving.
• The Merrimac was rigged withexplosives to be set off and sink it at thedesired position, but gunfire from the batteriessurrounding the channel entrance, visible as puffs of smoke in thelithograph, damaged the ship's steering gear, and though the vesselsunk, it did not block thechannel.
• The crew survived by clinging to an overturned lifeboat,were picked up by a Spanish steam launch thenext morning, and became prisoners of war. They were later released ina prisonerexchange and subsequently were awarded theCongressional Medal of Honor.
• In addition to the Merrimac, thislithograph shows a dozenother U.S. Navy ships off the coast of Cuba, named in the margin. Theinitials of the artist are in the lower left corner.
• The image area measures agenerous 31.3 x 52.5 cm [12½" x 20¾"].
• This is an original, authentic antique lithograph, nota reproduction or modern reprint, and it is fully guaranteed to begenuine. It was published by George F. Cram, Chicago, 1899.
• Condition: Itis in very goodcondition,bright and clean,with a vertical center fold, as issued, and nomarks, rips, or tears.Please see thescans and feel free to ask anyquestions.
• It would makean impressive display in your denor office. It would also make a perfect gift, and we'll include ourhelpful framing tips, along with a copy of the dated title page fromthe book in which it was published.
• On the reverse side there are more than a dozenphotographs of Spanish-American War scenes.
• Buy with confidence! We are always happy to combineshipping onthe purchase of multiple items — just make sure to pay for everythingat one time, not by SixBit's eCommerce Solution