Sinking Gallery

The Sinking of the Bismarck

The sinking of the German Battleship Bismarck. In response to sinking the HMS Hood, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill issued the order to "Sink the Bismarck", spurring a relentless pursuit by the Royal Navy. Two days later, with Bismarck almost in reach of safer waters, Fleet Air Arm aircraft torpedoed the ship and jammed her rudder, allowing heavy British units to catch up with her. In the ensuing battle on the morning of 27 May 1941, Bismarck was heavily attacked for nearly three hours before sinking. Painting by Malcolm Greensmith Date: 1941

© Mary Evans/Malcolm Greensmith Collection

SOS message from Titanic

A wireless message received by the Russian steamer Birma from the Titanic about five minutes after Titanic struck the iceberg that sank her. The Titanic is identified by her code letters MGY and the message uses both old distress call letters CQD (Come Quickly Danger) and new, SOS. It reads, "CQD - SOS from M.G.Y. We have struck iceberg sinking fast come to our assistance. Position Lat 41, 46 N., Long 50, 14 W. - MGY." Date: 14th April 1912

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

WW1 - Battle of Dogger Bank - Sinking of SMS 'Blucher'

WW1 - Battle of Dogger Bank - A photograph showing the sinking of the German battle cruiser, SMS 'Blucher', after being shelled by the British in 1915. The crew can be seen clinging to the hull, others sliding into the water, and pouring from the bilge-keel. Above appears the wrecked tripod foremast and turret with guns tilted skyward. On the far right, smoke and flames are bursting from the ship's torn side by Brtitsh shells. Blucher was the only warship to have sunk during the battle. Date: 1915

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans