HMS HOOD anchored in Neutral Bay
Photographer
Frederick Garner Wilkinson
(1901-1975)
Date13 April 1924
Object number00037665
NameGlass plate negative
MediumEmulsion on glass
DimensionsOverall: 82 x 103 mm, 2 mm, 0.04 kg
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionHMS HOOD is depicted from its stern anchored in Neutral Bay on 13 April 1924. HOOD visited Sydney Harbour as flagship of the British Royal Navy's Special Service Squadron's world tour in 1923-1924. The photographer Frederick Wilkinson captured many views of HOOD whilst on board ferries in Sydney Harbour.HistoryDuring 1923-1924, the British ship HMS HOOD with the Special Service Squadron made up the Empire Cruise, a world tour that stopped at many countries who fought and held allegiance with Britain in World War I. The tour started on 27 November 1923 and lasted until 28 September 1924. The public relations exercise was an attempt to express Britain's world sea power, particularly relevant in the aftermath of World War I.
HMS HOOD was launched in 1920 and prior to the outbreak of World War II was considered to be the most powerful and significant ship of the Royal Navy. A major highlight in HOOD's career was its role as flagship in the Royal Navy's world tour in 1923-1924. HOOD, HMS REPULSE and six light cruisers made up the Special Service Squadron which visited many countries including Australia and the United States.
HOOD was sunk on 24 May 1941 after receiving German gunfire from the BISMARCK during the Battle of Denmark Strait. The ship went down with 1,415 crew on board, in what became one of the greatest maritime tragedies of the Royal Navy. In 2001 the wrecks of both the BISMARCK and HOOD were located by David Mearns of Blue Water Recoveries.
SignificanceThis photograph is representative of the flagship HMS HOOD's presence in Sydney during the world tour of the Special Service Squadron.The print is part of the F G Wilkinson Photograph Collection, comprising more than 700 glass plate negatives of ships in Sydney Harbour between 1919 and 1936. The collection provides an extensive and well-documented coverage of the changing styles of shipping in the port of Sydney before the decline of the coastal trade. The backgrounds also reveal the changing face of the city and harbour foreshores.
