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From Our Archive

April 2011
Proceedings
Vol. 137/4/1,298
Article
View Issue
Comments

‘Life’s a voyage that’s homeward bound.’

Herman Melville (1819–1891)

The facts of this image are sparse: a lone Sailor on a launch during World War II. The suppositions are many: he’s taking a last look at “home” as he rides out to his ship. What are his thoughts? His feelings? Will he ever return? Will it be the same “home” when he does return? Thoughts of his life past and to come bubble up in the launch’s churning wake.

This and other photographs are available as prints through the Naval Institute Photo Archive. You may place orders or leave messages 24 hours a day at 1-800-233-8764, contact [email protected], or visit our Web site, www.usni.org.

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