About the Lithograph:
On the morning of August 8, 2000, one could almost hear a chorus of angels singing as the sun began to shine. The sun broke through the clouds when the small historic submarine broke from the ocean waters. Emotions ran high on this morning when angels sang and grown men cried witnessing history in the making.
A flotilla of pleasure boats escort the barge carrying the small submarine, passing crowds at Sullivan's Island. The flotilla and the barge continue to make their way up the Cooper River, parading past hundreds of spectators at Battery Park, the South Carolina Aquarium, and the Cooper River bridges. Many onlookers have Confederate flags held high and Southern pride is the order of the day! The excitement of the moment is heightened by the continuous cheering and ringing of church bells. Re-enactors celebrate from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Yorktown, as others fire a 21-gun salute and Confederate cannons roar! As the cheers of the crowd continue, one's mind drifts back in time...
One hundred and twenty six years ago, a small submarine carrying nine brave young men slipped into the dark, cold water from Breach Inlet under the cloak of darkness. The mission was to search, find, and destroy a Yankee blockade ship. The men were aware that testing the readiness of the submarine had already claimed many lives. The bravery, dedication and determination overruled any fear that they may have had that fateful night. On February 17, 1864, the submarine sank the Union blockader Housatonic off the coast of Sullivan's Island. This single historic event marked the beginning of submarine warfare.
The visual presentation of the painting "Coming Home" elevates the senses and beckons all to become one with the moment. A strong spirit of Southern Pride is displayed as the celebration continues with crowds, flags, and church bells. In the excitement one can almost hear whispers from the past, and feel the spirits of the ghostly images enjoying the adulation of the moment. Look skyward and the clouds reveal an impression of the small sub's successful surprise attack.
This marvel of Southern invention is a precious gift from another time and stands as a monument to the brave souls who had a strong desire to give all for the cause. The crew provides a legacy that is revealed through heroism, bravery, and tragedy. Memories of the raising of this submarine are frozen in time in the painting "Coming Home". (Memories and imagination captured between the past and the present on August 8, 2000.)