‘Thought is the wind, knowledge the sail, and mankind the vessel.’
—Augustus J. C. Hare (1834–1903)
The screw steam frigate USS Pensacola was the backdrop for this Alexandria, Virginia, waterfront scene by photographer James F. Gibson, c. 1861. Built in 1859 at Pensacola, Florida, the frigate later served with Flag Officer David Glasgow Farragut’s West Gulf Blockading Squadron and was the second ship in line during the historic run past the forts below New Orleans on 24 April 1862. She served for varying periods until finally struck from the Navy records in 1901 and burned by the Navy in San Francisco Bay off Hunter’s Point in May 1912.
This and other photographs and artwork 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 website, www.usni.org.