“Before the Storm” is an exciting portrayal of one of the most colorful eras in the history of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, vividly brought to life by the artist, Lieutenant Colonel R. L. (Bill) Cody, a retired U.S. Marine infantry officer with 30 years active service afloat and ashore.

The year is 1897. A storm was brewing that would engulf America and Spain in the war. At anchor in Hampton Roads, Virginia, are three of the U.S. Navy’s newest and mightiest warships: USS Texas, USS Maine, and USS New York. Their Marines have been ashore training. You can almost smell the salt spray and hear the commands of Marine NCOs and Navy petty officers as they embark to return to their ships.

At the time, tension was mounting between the United States and Spain over the situation in the Spanish Colony of Cuba. Soon, the battleship USS Maine would depart and sail into the war clouds forming over the island.

USS Maine’s mission was to show the flag and protect American citizens in the event of violence between Spanish troops and Cuban rebels. While at anchor in Havana harbor, during the night of 15 February 1898, the warship was torn apart by a tremendous explosion. Spain was blamed for the disaster. Americans went to war shouting the battle cry, “REMEMBER THE MAINE!”

Included with each copy of the print is a colorful pamphlet that describes the ships, uniforms, and historical events depicted. Also in the pamphlet are the names of the Marine officers and NCOs who manned the ships.