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Spanish American War commemorative frosted glass window depicting the USS MAINE A while ago an associate of ours brought in to Skipjack this antique architectural window that they had bought for a room of a previous residence that they owned. The etched artwork of this famous U.S. Navy battleship is impressive and the window frame is a wonderful architectural piece from the turn of the last century. Though unquestionably a period window made around the time of the  Spanish American War, there's no provenance included concerning the maker or it's original use. So here's a question for you American naval history buffs. What is the history of this etched glass window depicting the USS MAINE? Was it possibly a window panel from the ship itself? This is what we recently discovered about this rare Spanish American War item. I was recently watching a re-run of the PBS program "The History Detectives," an episode that I had not seen before that certainly piqued my curio

Schooner Virginia ship's bell with lanyard. Photo by Diane Murphy. The bellrope, also refered to as a bell pull or bell lanyard is a piece of fancy work attached to the clanger of a ship's bell. It is a necessary accoutrement to the ship's bell, both for function as a way to ring the bell as well as ornamentation as a symbol of pride. According to Vince Brennan of Frayed Knot Artworks , the ship’s bell is considered the 'heart' of a ship. Ship's bells are almost mystical objects, especially for as superstitious a lot as are sailors. They are polished before all other items and are the last thing to be removed when a ship is decommissioned or scrapped. US Navy vessels have their names engraved on their bells and when a ship is struck from the list, the last Commanding Officer usually receives the bell for safekeeping. Bell lanyard made by Vince Brennan for the Zuni Maritime Foundation. Photo by Joe Elder For information about 12 inch ship's bell bellrope or l

"Winona Morning" watercolor on paper by J. Robert Burnell Final Week of the J. Robert Burnell Marine Art Exhibit.  Show ends Saturday, January 22, 2011. Portsmouth marine artist J. Robert Burnell grew up around the water in a family of watermen, and sailing his own boat since he was ten years old. He has sailed on nearly every type of workboat on the Chesapeake Bay. It's no wonder that Burnell's love of the water reflects so naturally in his nautical themed paintings. You won't have to go far to see one of the largest collections of Burnell's marine art all in one exhibit. Over 20 new acrylic and watercolor paintings by J. Robert Burnell will be on display and for sale in the 'foyer gallery' at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery at One High Street in Olde Towne Portsmouth. You will also be able to preview some of  his nautical artwork on our web gallery at Skipjack's Marine Art Gallery throughout the event. Just click on the

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did so. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. ~Mark Twain~ Happy New Years from us old salts at Skipjack!