Bismarck’s Last Salvo, 27th May 1941 - Steven Dews

After having her steering severely damaged by an aircraft launched torpedo, Bismarck tried, in vain, to avoid the searching British Fleet, as she made a dash across the Atlantic for the safety of German occupied France.

HMS Rodney and HMS George V found her and attacked in a running battle eventually disabling all her main armament, the last being her rear most twin turret “Dora”. In the painting, these vessels are on the extreme right. When “Dora” was finally silenced, HMS Rodney and George V disengaged due to shortage of fuel. HMS Dorsetshire then approached from the Southeast, circled around ahead of the now totally and fatally crippled vessel and fired more torpedoes into her port side. By then Bismarck was well down by the stern and had a severe list to port. The German crew set scuttling charges to stop the vessel falling into enemy hands and sealed her fate.

Once the doomed vessel started the journey to her final resting place, 15,000 feet below, HMS Dorsetshire approached the area and tried to rescue as many sailors as they were able but the sighting of an enemy U-Boat close by forced a quick but heart rendering exit as, whilst stationary, the ship was an easy submarine target, leaving several hundred German sailors to their fate.

Goutelette on paper.  Edition of 50   
Image size - 56 x 34 inches  (142cm x 86cm)
Paper size - 60 x 38 inches (152cm x 96cm)

Each print is hand-numbered & accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity, which is signed by the artist.  This Limited Edition Gouttelette Print on paper is published with light-fast inks to BS1006 standard onto acid-free, calcium carbonate-buffered stock, mould-made from 100% cotton and sourced from environmentally-conscious paper suppliers.