U.S.S. Antrim (FFG 20) and U.S.S. Radford (DD 968) in Constanta, Romania 1983 wall art canvas print metal print U.S. Navy

In 1983, aboard USS Antrim FFG 20, our deployment to the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf was a mix of duty and eye-opening experiences. Our voyage took us through historic passages—Bosporus, Dardanelles, and into the Black Sea, where Constanta, Romania awaited—a snapshot of a communist regime under Ceausescu's rule.

Dressed in our crisp white uniforms, a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere ashore, we glimpsed the grim realities of life under dictatorship. As the ship's photographer, I longed to capture the essence of our visit, yet strict regulations forbade cameras off-board.

One night, emboldened by curiosity, I stealthily carried my camera ashore after an evening in town. The city lay quiet under a hazy sky, a silence pregnant with suppressed stories. With cautious steps, I snapped a photo down the pier, capturing a fraction of the moment, a memento of our fleeting encounter with Romania's troubled reality. I hurriedly stashed the camera away, evading the ever-watchful eyes of Romanian security.

The photo, a single glimpse of Constanta, held the weight of our journey—a testament to the constraints we faced and the privilege of capturing just a moment amidst restrictions.

However, the visit wasn't solely a testament to oppressive regimes. Our journey showcased the might of our advanced ships. Entering the Black Sea, we encountered aging Russian destroyers. In a display of prowess, Antrim and Radford, powered by cutting-edge gas turbines, executed a breathtaking maneuver, encircling the Russian ships at full throttle before swiftly departing, leaving the outdated vessels astern—an exhilarating display of technological superiority.

The photograph, though of poor quality, symbolized more than the limitations of film; it encapsulated a voyage marked by contrasts—between freedom and restriction, technology and antiquity, and served as a humble reminder of the freedoms we cherished aboard USS Antrim FFG 20 that so many people at home in the U.S. take for granted

. Production and Shipping Time:

Glossy Photo Paper: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping.

Ready-to-Hang Canvas: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping.

SHIPPING DETAILS

There are 5 ways to print these images.

1) Premium Glossy Photo Paper are high quality, professional paper-prints.

Sharp, Vivid and rich Color sets this apart from a casual photo print.

You'll feel like you're there.

Premium Glossy Photo Paper will last a long time.

This option is available in 8x10 inches, 11x14 inches or 16x20 inches.

They are designed to be placed in a glass frame, which can be purchased separately (starting at a few dollars at your local Target or online).

2) Ready to Hang Canvas are ready to hang right out of the box with zero assembly required. Ultimate convenience.

Gorgeous finished look. It comes out of the shipping box finished and ready to hang with a simple nail in the wall.

Canvas Prints are a well-known, high-end way of displaying photographs.

1.5 inch thick wooden stretcher-bars that give it shape, in the same way an oil painting is traditionally assembled. There are no staples or ugly lines visible on the sides (very important).

Estimated delivery time for printing, assembling, packing and shipping is around 10 days.

3) Ready to Hang Canvas (split into 3 panels)

This is for larger pieces, and the photograph is split into 3 even panels, 3 separate canvas panels which put together make a single large image.

This gives a modern look, and allows spectacularly large sizes on your wall!

4) Aluminum Metal Prints

Create elegant wall decor that shines with high-end, exclusive and unique aluminum metal prints.

Create a polished addition to any home or office. 3/64" thick aluminum panel. Features a glossy coating and rounded edges.

UV resistant ink prevents fading. All metal sizes are ready to hang on your wall, right out of the box.

5) Acrylic Prints

Create eye-catching home decor with modern acrylic prints. Light refracts through the museum-quality acrylic bringing vibrancy and depth to your photos. The .22" thick clear acrylic produces superb image quality from edge to edge and absolutely stunning, brilliant color!

UV resistant ink prevents fading. All metal sizes are ready to hang on your wall, right out of the box

Mar 15-24

Mar 1

Mar 3-10

Mar 15-24

Cost to ship

Free

Etsy offsets carbon emissions from shipping and packaging on this purchase.

Returns & exchanges

Return & exchange window

Etsy Purchase Protection: Shop confidently on Etsy knowing if something goes wrong with an order, we've got your back for all eligible purchases