Diagram of the Batle of Jutland at 6.21 p.m., 31 May 1916, for a painting

This is Wyllie's preparatory diagram for a painting of Jutland, intended apparently for the United Service Club in Pall Mall from the pencil annotation at bottom right ('US Club'). Within a visual angle of 40 degrees representing the horizontal field of view, it identifies Jellicoe's line of battleships headed by 'King George V' and with his flagship 'Iron Duke' at the rear, just ahead of 'Royal Oak' (turning into frame). Behind are four battle-cruisers headed by Beatty's flagship 'Lion' at the top. The inscription - mainly in Wyllie's hand but with a couple of editorial changes by another in red ink - identifies the time shown as early in the action at 6.21 p.m. on 31 May 1916 and that 'If the spectator will stand 16 feet from the picture at the foot of the Grand Staircase the Iron Duke will appear to be about 600 yards away and the Thunderer about 2 1/2 cables [1500 feet] ahead of her. All the other ships will be in station and the range of enemy Battle Cruisers about 1200 yards.' The last sentence, crossed out in pencil, reads 'Walking closer to the canvas will have the effect of shortening all the ranges.' Right at the top, left to right in pencil are notes identifying the direction of the enemy, with positions of 'Cruisers and Dts [destroyers]' 'Wiesbaden' [German light cruiser], 'Enemy Battle Cruisers', (and in ink) a cloud of 'Drifting smoke from Defence' [British armoured cruiser, blown up] and the 'Warrior'. Two lines showing true and magnetic north compass bearings show the period of the battle shown is the 'run to the south'.

Object Details

ID: PAE3388
Collection: Fine art
Type: Drawing
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Wyllie, William Lionel
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: 229 mm x 178 mm
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