Commander’s Launch | 12×16 | Oil on Linen Panel

Inspiration for Commander’s Launch

The marina owner tells a very interesting story behind the boat in Commander’s Launch. Apparently this particular type of small craft ferried high-ranking officers to and from larger ships while in port. As such, they were generically labeled “Commander’s Launches.” After WWII (or Vietnam, I forget which), the Navy disposed of many vessels which would simply cost too much to maintain. A fisherman purchased this boat and converted it to hunt that great delicacy of the deep: Gulf Snapper. (As a disclaimer, I tried Googling this story and came up with nothing, so take it as you will!)