19th Century Maritime Seascape Watercolor Painting featuring the USS Steam Frigate Niagara by William B. Hoff, Framed

Description

19th century maritime seascape of a naval ship similar to those used in the war of 1812, by William B. … more 19th century maritime seascape of a naval ship similar to those used in the war of 1812, by William B. Hoff (American, 1846-1903). This miniature watercolor is depicted with fine detail that is accurate to the ships of this period.

Signed with the monogram "WBH" lower right. Signed "WB Hoff" lower left edge.
Inscription on verso of paper reads " Capt. W. E. Litkey (difficult to read) - compliments of Wm B. Hoff".
Displayed in an oval wood frame with gold-toned border.
Image size: 4.5"H x 4.75"W.


William B. Hoff (American, 19th Century) was a US Naval officer and maritime artist whose work is included in the Navy Art Collection of the Naval Historical Center in Washington D.C. His drawing "Burning of the Prize Hector" is published in the Naval Historical Center's book "Against All Odds: United States Sailors in the War of 1812".
Capt William Bainbridge-Hoff
BIRTH 11 Feb 1846
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA
DEATH 22 May 1903 (aged 57)
Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, USA
BURIAL
United States Naval Academy Cemetery
Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, USA
He was the son of Rear Admiral Henry Kuhn Hoff and Louisa Alexina Wadsworth Bainbridge Hoff (1820-1882). On January 6, 1869 as William Bainbridge Hoff, he married Juliet Adele Potts at the Church of Atonement in Manhattan, New York.

The Biographical Dictionary of America Volume V, edited by Rossiter Johnson, American Biographical Society, 1906.
Hoff, William Bainbridge, naval officer, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 11, 1846; son of Rear Admiral Henry Kuhn and Louisa Alexina Wadsworth (Bainbridge) Hoff; a descendant of the Taylors and Bainbridges of New Jersey and of the Kuhns of Philadelphia. He attended the Episcopal academy at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and in 1860 entered the United States Naval Academy and was ordered into active service in September 1863. While midshipman he at one time commanded the yacht America. He was promoted ensign October 1, 1863; attached to the steam frigate Niagara in 1864; served on the East Gulf Blockading Squadron 1864-1865 and took part in the expedition to capture St. Marks, Florida, which terminated in the Battle of Natural Bridge. He served on the steamer Shawmut of the Brazil Squadron 1865-1866; was promoted master May 10, 1866 and attached to the steam frigate Franklin, the flagship of Admiral Farragut, commanding the European Squadron 1867-1868. He was promoted lieutenant, February 21, 1867 and lieutenant-commander March 12, 1868. He was stationed at the Naval Academy in 1869; attached to the Kansas 1870-1871; on torpedo service 1872 and was senior aide to Rear Admiral Pennock, commander of the Pacific Station and executive officer of the Suranac, Pacific Fleet 1872-1874. He was called to Washington on special duty in 1875; commanded the torpedo boat Alarm 1875-1876; was stationed at League Island 1876-1877 and served as aide to Admiral Porter 1877-1881. He was promoted to commander August 7, 1881; commanded the training ship Portsmouth, in 1881-1883 and served the torpedo station in 1883. He was chief signal officer, a special duty for the Navy Department 1883-1886; commanded the Ossipee, North Atlantic Station 1886-1888 and the Dale, a training ship for seaman gunners, from January 1890 to March 1892. He was naval commissioner to London, for the World’s Columbian Exposition from March 1892 to October 1893; on special duty for the Bureau of Navigation 1893-1895 and was promoted captain May 10, 1895. He commanded the Lancaster, then the Newark 1895-1897 and was retired March 13, 1897, for physical disability. He originated the system of tactics officially adopted in the navy in 1890. He was married January 6, 1869, to Juliet A., daughter of George H. Potts, a New York banker and their son, Arthur Bainbridge Hoff, entered the United States Naval Academy, September 28, 1885; was appointed ensign July 1, 1891 and promoted lieutenant July 17, 1898. Captain Hoff is the author of Examples, Conclusions and Maxims of Modern Naval Tactics (1884); The Avoidance of Collisions at Sea (1886) and Elementary Naval Tactics (1894).

Chicago Daily Tribune Saturday, May 23, 1903
Captain William Bainbridge-Hoff, United States Navy, retired, died at Washington, D.C. yesterday, aged 56. The funeral services will be held next Monday. Interment will be in the Naval Cemetery at Annapolis, Maryland. Captain Bainbridge-Hoff was the author of several standard works on naval tactics, some of which have been translated into French, German and Italian. He was born in Philadelphia. less