AMERICAN WHALERS in the
WESTERN ARCTIC
Mmiral Sims in Cambridge 10 receive an honorary degree with the Prince of Wales , at left , in 1921.
THE FINAL EPOCH OF TH E G REAT A MERI CAN SA ILIN G WHALING FLEET
Dreadnought Admiral A Portfolio of
Introduced and
Watercolors & Drawings
Related in text
by WILLIAM GILKERSON
by JOHN R. BOC KSTOCE
PwblUJHd by F.Jw.ird). LLfooama. '"'¡ F11irlNlwr., M.au..cb_.as, LJ,,;ud Sutn of Amniu
AMERICAN WHALERS IN THE WESTERN ARCTIC has been called A landmark event in the maritime arts by Kendall Whaling Museum Director Stuart M. Frank. A wholly original book, one of a very few of its scope to be published in our century, the volume and its plates incorporate the finest materials, printing techniques and binding available, in an elephant folio (15-1/4 x 19 in.) presentation of twelve color paintings and dozens of line drawings by marine artist William Gilkerson, with text by Dr. John R. Bockstoce of the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Gilkerson 's work here is highly original in conception . .. yet it is meticulously researched and carefully documented, never losing sight of the faithfulness to history and accuracy of detail for which Gilkerson's work is known, says Director Frank. Conjoined with an authoritative and often whimsical text by Dr. John R. Bockstoce, ... Gilkerson 's paintings, drawings, and sketches provide an historical overview and many anecdotal sidelights which bring this harshly heroic era of Yankee enterprise vividly to life. The richness of American Whalers in the Western Arctic is impossible to convey in this limiced space. Each book is accompanied by an excra suice of che 12 color places in a separate portfolio, each place numbered, and signed bv che artist. Jolin Swain Carter, American Neptune Editor and Maine Maritime Museum Director, says of che book: Rarely does one see a work of such quality - and it is worth the price. Production expenses for che four hundred copies co which the edition is limited necessirace the price of $1250. Thirty copies are in a Deluxe format, each containing cwo of Mr. Gilkerson's original scudio sketches. These are priced $2000, and are nearly sold out. For more detailed information, or to order, contact the publisher:
EDWARD]. LEFKOWICZ, INC. P.O. Box 630 Fairhaven, Mass. 02719 U.S.A. Telephone (617) 997-6839
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In 1918, four years after her commissioning, USS Texas, built to match the new British battleships, went overseas to serve alongside Britain's Grand Fleet. She came under the Commander of US Naval Forces in European Waters, Admiral William S. Sims. Fleet Admiral William R Halsey, famous practitioner of fast-carrier warfare in World War II, records a memorable picture of the high-spirited, clearsighted Admiral in the years shortly before he went to take up that command: The Commander of the Atlantic Destroyer Flotilla was Capt. William S. Sims who, as a young lieutenant, had made such a cogent case against the fleet's poor gunnery that President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him inspector of target practice. Sims did an excellent job, and Roosevelt shoved him along, to the extent that he was only a commander when he was made skipper of the battleship Minnesota-the first and only time a commander has been permanent captain of a battleship in the Battle Fleet. This did not increase his popularity with his seniors , although his juniors loved him . I doubt if he was aware of either opinion ; he cared no more for popularity than he cared for convention . He seemed to exult in affronting authority. In 1910, he made a speech at London in which he stated, " Speaking for myself, I believe that if the time ever comes when the British Empire is menaced by an external enemy, you may count upon every man , every drop of blood , every ship, and every dollar of your kindred across the seas." The severe reprimand that President Taft sent him for his tactlessness, Sims framed and hung in his cabin .
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I remember him as tall and vigorous, a crisp, decisive talker, and a great believer in conferences. In Guantanamo, he liked to hold them at the officers' club, and frequently attended in tennis clothes. If he became bored or if the discussion got out of hand , he would break it up by heaving a tennis ball at the speaker. -Admiral Halsey's Story, by Fleet Ad miral William F. Halsey, USN SEA HISTORY, SPRING 1984