U. S. Ship North Carolina, 102 Guns 1843

Nathaniel Currier made this print of the U.S. Ship North Carolina, with its 102 guns, sometime in the 19th century. Currier was a major figure in the popular print market of the time. His firm mass-produced images for a rapidly expanding audience eager for news and entertainment. This print reflects the growing sense of national pride and military might in the United States. The ship is depicted as a symbol of American power and technological achievement. But let's remember that the expansion of that power depended on the subjugation of other nations and the continuation of slavery. Naval power ensured the expansion of the United States across the continent and beyond. Understanding this print requires us to delve into the social and political context of its creation. By consulting historical records, newspapers, and other period documents, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex forces that shaped both the image and the society that consumed it.