Surrendered German battleships in the Firth of Forth, probably at dawn

Signed and inscribed by the artist, 'Huns in the Forth', lower right. The apparent viewpoint, looking east, suggests this may be a dawn view rather than an evening one as it may immediately seem. The date represented is 21-23 November 1918 (though, if morning, 22-23). The ship in starboard-broadside view to left of centre is a German 'Kaiser'-class battleship and that beyond in the centre is a 'König'-class battleship. The ship approaching on the right also appears to be 'König'-class. The Grand Fleet had escorted the German High Seas Fleet into the Forth on 21 November, where it formally surrendered, before being moved into internment at Scapa Flow from the 24th. Wyllie was present as a guest of Admiral Sir Charles Madden in HMS 'Revenge', staying for a month on board.

Object Details

ID: PAF1875
Collection: Fine art
Type: Drawing
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Wyllie, William Lionel
Date made: 1918
People: German High Seas Fleet
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: Sheet: 219 x 320 mm; Mount: 386 mm x 487 mm