With the Grand Fleet 4. Inside the Turret

In March 1917, Muirhead Bone (1876-1953) was sent as an Official War Artist to the Grand Fleet at Rosyth, Scotland, where he spent three weeks recording daily life at sea, including oiling and firing practice. The work that he completed during that time was reproduced in May 1917 in ‘Country Life’ magazine and was compiled into a portfolio of six lithographs titled ‘With the Grand Fleet’. Although the prints may each be viewed as a work of art in its own right, the text that accompanies them makes it clear that this portfolio was intended as propaganda. The journalist C. E. Montague’s (1867-1928) descriptions enforce an idea of British superiority, pride and power and encourage the viewer to consider Bone’s lithographs in a new way.

Montague's description for 'Inside the turret' was:
'Interior of a big gun turret on a battleship, with the crew at their stations. The breech of the gun is open and looks gigantic in this confined space where every inch is made to serve some purpose. An officer is seen in the gangway between the twin guns, but of course the higher direction of the firing is transmitted from the “Fire control” station situated elsewhere.'

Object Details

ID: PAI0684
Type: Print
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Bone, Muirhead
Date made: 1917
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Sheet: 796 x 555 mm
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