From the Collections
The Artful Engineer: The Stephen Fitch Collection
“Somewhere in my ‘junk’ I still have some pen-ink cartoons and sketches that I made during 1943-1944 during my ‘spare’ time.” –Stephen Fitch
A plank owner aboard the USS Yorktown (CV-10) and original member of the ship’s engineering department, Lieutenant Commander Stephen David Fitch’s skills brought the Fighting Lady to life in more ways than one.
A sailor, engineer, and talented artist, Stephen Fitch’s collection provides a unique look into both the Yorktown’s construction and the culture of a “city at sea”. Brought in early to help build the Yorktown, Lt. Fitch’s fingerprints are woven into the construction of the ship. His collection reveals his deep relationship with the ship and the men aboard. Fitch’s artistic abilities made him a great friend to have, as pilots relied on him to paint their kill board scores and provide illustrations for other shipboard publications. His playful sketches reveal the humor that existed on the ship, the cast of characters who populated it, and the quiet moments in between.
A plank owner aboard the USS Yorktown (CV-10) and original member of the ship’s engineering department, Lieutenant Commander Stephen David Fitch’s skills brought the Fighting Lady to life in more ways than one.
A sailor, engineer, and talented artist, Stephen Fitch’s collection provides a unique look into both the Yorktown’s construction and the culture of a “city at sea”. Brought in early to help build the Yorktown, Lt. Fitch’s fingerprints are woven into the construction of the ship. His collection reveals his deep relationship with the ship and the men aboard. Fitch’s artistic abilities made him a great friend to have, as pilots relied on him to paint their kill board scores and provide illustrations for other shipboard publications. His playful sketches reveal the humor that existed on the ship, the cast of characters who populated it, and the quiet moments in between.
