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Battle Ready USS CANBERRA (CAG2)

Artist Arthur Beaumont (1890 - 1978)

Date1964

Object number00009499

NamePainting

MediumWatercolour on paper

DimensionsOverall: 757 × 874 × 19 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift (in loving memory of Peter Kalita, Sr.) from his wife, Bonnie and his sons, Peter Jr. and Anthony through the American Friends of the Australian National Maritime Museum On behalf of Peter's family the Naval Heritage Foundation of Australia Inc. (Mackenzie J. Gregory, President ) has facilitated the presentation and display of this gift.

Terms

DescriptionUSS Canberra (CA-70) was commissioned on 14 October 1943. President Franklin Roosevelt asked that the U.S. cruiser be named to honour the Australian cruiser HMAS Canberra. It is the only American Navy ship ever named for an ally's sunken vessel. HMAS Canberra was sunk and 84 crew members were lost during the battle of Savo Island on 9 August 1942 when it was sunk by friendly fire. USS Canberra was refitted in 1952 as a guided missile heavy cruiser, as it is shown in this painting, and was decommissioned in 1970. HistoryAlthough Arthur Beaumont was not an American citizen by birth, he felt deep love and respect for his adopted country. His classical training as an artist and his fascination with the sea and the vessels which sail upon her led Beaumont into an association with the U.S. Navy which lasted nearly five decades. The relationship began in the early 1930s, when he was commissioned to paint formal portraits of several Naval Officers, including Vice Admiral William D. Leahy. Leahy suggested that Beaumont paint studies of the Fleet for the Navy. At once Beaumont recognized the opportunity to record history and to create fine works of art simultaneously, as Henry Reuterdahl (1871-1925) had done for the Navy during World War I. Thus his art acquired purpose and meaning, allowing him to express creatively the patriotism evoked by his adopted land.SignificanceUSS Canberra (CA-70) was commissioned on 14 October 1943. President Franklin Roosevelt asked that the U.S. cruiser be named to honour the Australian cruiser HMAS Canberra.

HMAS Canberra was sunk and 84 crew members were lost during the battle of Savo Island on 9 August 1942. The battle involved a mixed force of American and Australian vessels fighting side-by-side against the Japanese.

USS Canberra was refitted in 1952 as a guided missile heavy cruiser and was decommissioned in 1970. It is the only American Navy ship ever named for an ally's sunken vessel.