Information on rear of plaque
The legend of the Flying Dutchman dates to 1641,  when the ship,  so named,  sailed unexpectedly into a storm,  crashing on the rocks at the Cape of Good Hope and sank.   The captain of the ship was not ready to die and released a curse,  saying,  "I will round this Cape even if I have to keep sailing until doomsday."   It is said that if you look into the eye of the storm brewing off the Cape and you see the captain and his ship,  you will die a terrible death.
The design appeared during the 1840 Presidential campaign.   Why,  we don't know,  but this beautiful pattern, though named after this tragic event,  does not conjure up fear,  but beauty.   Made of Flying Geese units,  look closely,  can you see that ship sailing round and round?