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The 24th May 2011 will mark the 70th anniversary of the commencement of the most dramatic sea battle of the Second World War - the clash between The Mighty Hood and the Bismarck. The Bismarck used its superb optical range finders to devastating effect, and the accurate fire power, quite literally, blew up The Hood. The Mighty had fallen! At 10.40am on Tuesday, 27th May Bismarck herself was sunk - her first and only voyage had lasted just over eight days.
In commemoration of this poignant and significant event, I am creating two paintings. One is of the Bismarck in the Denmark Strait, mid battle, just prior to the sinking of HMS Hood. The second is a remembrance of the Mighty Hood in happier times, docked in the Vancouver harbour. These paintings are in remembrance of the brave sailors who died on The Hood (1,415), the Bismarck (2,131) and 14 from The Prince of Wales.
I have been recording a photographic log of the creation of these paintings so that visitors to the site can view the development of the paintings, from blank canvasses to finished works; a slide show, added to each day, will culminate with the finished paintings in time for the anniversary date. There will also be an accompanying history of the events, and some details of my 'painting journey'. I hope the project will prove a fitting tribute to these two mighty ships and the valiant men who lost their lives, and that it will speak to those who remember this pivotal event of World War II, and to younger people who may not be aware of it.
If you would like to add your own contribution to the project, please join in the forums. If you would like to suggest suitable titles for either of the paintings, you can also do so through the forum. Please join in and help to make this venture a memorable one.
We are planning a very limited edition of prints, being fifty of each painting. Print Number 1 of the painting of HMS Hood is to be signed by Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, and has been donated to 'The Big Salute' for auction in aid of British Forces' charities. It will also be signed by Rob White, Co-ordinator of the expedition which found the wreck of HMS Hood and rediscovered the Bismarck, and David Mearns, whose deep sea search skills were crucial to the success of the mission. This will, of course, make this print a unique and most collectable item. Rob and David will also sign a further nine prints of the Hood and the first ten prints of the Bismarck painting will be signed by Rob and David, and also by Iain Ballantyne, author of the award-winning book "Killing the Bismarck". These prints are offered for sale on this website, with ten per cent of the proceeds being donated to 'The Big Salute'.
We are pleased to say that the auction for the first print is now finished and the print will soon be winging its way to the new owner - a gentleman with family connections to HMS Hood. We hope he is delighted with his purchase and thank him for his support for the Big Salute.
