The Rendezvous by Robert Barbour
RFA Fort Austin makes a leisurely rendezvous at sunset with the Polaris
submarine HMS Renown on patrol somewhere in mid ocean. Soon a rubber
inflatable will be launched from the Fort, and mail and fresh
fruit and vegetables will be transferred before darkness sets in and makes
the operation more hazardous.
The Conqueror Returns by Robert Barbour During the Falklands War the HMS Conqueror shadowed the Argentine Heavy
Cruiser, General Belgrano and her two escort destroyers. On 2nd May 1982,
she launched a salvo of torpedoes, two of which scored hits, causing
sufficient damage to the warship to sink with the loss of 321 of her crew.
The painting depicts the conqueror on her final leg of her return to
Faslane in July 1983, as she passes through the Rhu narrows and enters the
Gareloch. Following an RN submarine service tradition she flies the Jolly
Roger.
Good Morning, Spartan by Robert Barbour Nimrod MR2P from 201 squadron based at RAF Kinloss, climbs away under
full power during NATO exercises off the west coast of Scotland. The
Nimrod has just completed simulated depth charge attacks on the fleet
submarine HMS Spartan and is returning to Kinloss for breakfast. Spartan
turns and heads for the Clyde Submarine Base at Faslane on the Gareloch.
Perisher by Robert Barbour HMS Orpheus turns sharply to starboard as a Lynx helicopter from the
Destroyer HMS Glasgow approaches at low level. Winter weather on the Clyde
confirms that it is indeed a Perisher course for potential submarine
commanders. The peaks of Arran are snow covered and a biting north
westerly whips the Firth in sudden squalls.
Group Up- Half Ahead Starboard by
Robert Barbour A class submarine, HMS Anchorite, swings
away from the depot ship Adamant during work up exercises in the Firth
of Clyde. In the mid fifties the depot ship was moored in Rothesay Bay
providing a base for the 3rd Submarine Squadron. Leaving the moorings
ahead of Anchorite is the frigate HMS Termagant which will day part in
the days exercise.
Night Attack by Robert Barbour HMS Storm carries out a night surface attack on a Japanese ammunition
supply ship in the eastern Bay of Bengal. The ship and escort were passing
through the Mergui Archipelago en route to Rangoon, and were eventually
sunk by the submarines Oerlikon and 3-inch guns. The resulting explosions
provided a spectacular fireworks display, visible and audible for many
miles.
The Malta Station by Robert Barbour HMS Unrivalled enters Valetta Harbour, Malta, under the command of Lt.
Turner, flying the Jolly Roger signifying completion of another successful
patrol.
Scapa Flow Graveyard by Robert Barbour HM submarine H.28 enters Scapa Flow anchorage, passing the forlorn
Battle Cruiser SMS Derfflinger and a group of sunken destroyers H.28 was
one of the H class submarines. Launched in March 1918, she was finally
scrapped in 1944.
Working Up by Robert Barbour T class submarine HMS Thorn surfaces during the work up
exercises off the west coast of Scotland in late 1941. Taking part is an
escort sloop of the Black Swan class and a Sunderland from 201 Squadron,
RAF Coastal Command.
Mission Completed by Robert Barbour
7th June 1915. HM Submarine E.11 has just surfaced off Cape Helles at
the entrance to the Dardanelles Straits. She has just safely negotiated
passage through various minefields from the sea of marmora where she
destroyed nine Turkish ships, and reached as far as Constantinople. In the
background is the destroyer HMS Grampus and the beached freighter SS River
Clyde.
The Lusitania by Robert Barbour
Cunard liner RMS Lusitania leaves New York outward bound for
Liverpool just before the First World War. Sadly on 7th May 1915 she was
torpedoed by the German submarine U-20 and sank within 20 minutes with
the loss of 1,198 lives.
USS Tang, The Life Guard of Truk Atoll by Robert Barbour
On 29th and 30th April 1944, while surfaced close to jagged reefs, and
Japanese shore guns, the USS Tang rescued 22 downed flyers from Task Force
58s strikes against enemy positions on the islands - This was the largest
rescue of airmen by a submarine in the war.
A Chance Encounter by Robert Barbour On 17th June 1944, 780 miles west of Saipan in Mid Pacific,
the Gato class submarine USS Cavalla dives after a lucky sighting of a
Japanese Naval Task Force, which included the aircraft carriers Taiho,
Shokaku and Zuikaku. The Cavalla then trailed the Japanese, attacking and
sinking the Shokaku on the 19th.
