HMS Hood (1920 - 1941)

[Blood]

If we look at the evidence on paper at the time. 1 Battleship and 1 Battlecruiser vs 1 Battleship and 1 Heavy Cruiser, on paper UK victory. Quite clearly not a silly plan to send them to the Demark Strait supported by cruisers.
In reality, 1 brand new Battleship with contractors still onboard (just like today), 1 old (and as highlighted by the battle of Jutland flawed in design) Battlecruiser vs 1 band new and highly worked up Battleship and a well worked up and experienced Heavy Cruiser. Both German vessels with better gun laying capabilities and better sights.
My Great Uncle when down with the HOOD, my Grandmother often speaks of him and the shock of the loss of our largest Warship and pride of the RN, the Sinking of the BISMARCK has become a personal hobby...

 

[dustyjack]

Many Navy Communicators that went through Ganges in the 60s will remember Lt. Ted Briggs, who ran the Signal Skool. One of "the three" - he was a signalman and I think he said he was 'lucky' because he was blown straight off the signal deck and thought he'd been in a 'bubble' that came up from the ship and pushed him away. Nice chap.

Ello Geoff

I served with Lt. Ted Briggs on HMS Loch Killisport in the Far Flung 1963/4 he was the Squadron Comms Officer 3rd FS. If ever an officer I met deserved the title of "Gentleman" Lt Briggs was that man.

Nutty

Nutty

My grandfather was on the Loch Killisport. I have a framed phot of him on commisioning day in 1944. I had no idea she kept going so long after the war. Was she a good ship?

DJ

 

[Crabman]

Many years ago my uncle (ret'd RN officer) told me he saw the Hood go down. Can't remember which ship he served on. Later I believe he had the satisfying experience of watching the Bismark go down.

 

[Blood]

Interesting Crabman, but cant help you, unless he was on the HOOD and one of the three picked up by the ELECTRA, however the SUFFOLK, NORFOLK, ACHATES, ANTELOPE, ANTHONY, ECHO and ICARUS, were also in the area, but not in sight. I believe that the only RN Ship actually in sight at the time of the sinking was the PRINCE OF WALES, she return to Scapa upon completion of the pounding she received, escorted by the named Destroyers and wasnt present at the time of the sinking. SUFFOLK and NORFOLK continued shadowing at a distance using radar. The names of the RN Ships in the area at the time of the sinking of the BISMARCK were COSSACK, SIKH, MAORI, ZULU, the Polish Warship PIORUN. NORFOLK, DORSETSHIRE RODNEY and KING GEORGE V, with Force H over the horizon.
Sorry crabman, that doesnt help you.

 

[unclean]

The Admiralty reports into the sinking were available on the web, but can't find them now. They included witness drawings of the sinking and analysis of the armour capabilities at various ranges for the other battleships & battle cruisers. I have HTML files of the reports if you are interested, but can not find them on the web.

 

[Blood]

unclean, very interested, do you have a link?

 

[Crabman]

Thanks for the info Blood. Maybe I should have got more details from my uncle whilst I had the chance, but seeing as he died many years ago that could now be difficult.

Does anyone know at what depth the Hood is lying? The Bismark is apparently at about 3000 metres and looks to be in quite good nick (one previous owner, low mileage), although not quite seaworthy.

 

[unclean]

Blood, try: Hood Report, some of the pages are not available, not sure if this is temporary.

 

[Como83]

Hood was certainly a Naval Icon. Personal experience coming up ...

WS8B, Britain’s biggest military convoy up to then, left the Clyde on May 21 1941 Protection was provided by Senior escort Exeter, a flotilla of Tribal class destroyers, Cairo an anti-aircraft cruiser plus one old aircraft carrier. (Incidentally, the enemy, who had broken Naval codes, knew of this convoy).
Eight FAA ratings were assigned to Exeter for aircraft recognition duties; I was one, working with my mate, Harry, on the bridge each covering 90 deg sector, watch on and watch off.
Morning of May 24, Harry whispered, ‘Destroyer’s calling’. I stole a glance seeing one of the screen aft, flashing us. The Chief Yeoman came to the signal lamp on our side, and quickly answered. He then passed us going to the skipper, saying as though shocked, ‘By Christ, the Hoods been sunk.’
We looked at each other, but nobody said anything, so later went down to the Seamen’s messdeck at noon wondering. The old Leading Seaman i/c our mess, who’d been on her for the Falklands action, was ‘our Dad’; so we told him all what had happened.
It produced horrified reaction – directed at us.
‘For Christ’s sake, don’t you know anything? Never say that again.’
Seamen in the mess alongside heard, so they lashed out too; ‘Bloody brats spreading f..ing buzzes.’ (we were both 17) : ‘Bloody Fleet air arm! What can you expect.’
We hung our heads as our Father lectured us, our mates also gave us dirty looks - in the dog house again.

I think it was the second Dog when the Skipper came on the Tannoy, ‘This is the Captain speaking. I regret to inform ship’s company that this morning Hood was sunk in surface action in the Denmark Straits. Heavy units of the enemy are now reported heading in a Southerly direction. That is all.’

No apologies, we didn’t expect any. We were all more taken up with those two behemoths thundering down towards us.

 

[charlieoppo]

Thanks for the info Blood. Maybe I should have got more details from my uncle whilst I had the chance, but seeing as he died many years ago that could now be difficult.

Does anyone know at what depth the Hood is lying? The Bismark is apparently at about 3000 metres and looks to be in quite good nick (one previous owner, low mileage), although not quite seaworthy.

Are there any details/photos available of the Hood's final resting place?

 

[Blood]

HOOD currently lays at 2,800FT in the Denmark Strait, split into two large pieces, surround by substantial debris fields. There are many great books on the subject, but the actual discovery of both HOOD and BISMARCK can be found in HOOD and BISMARCK, the deep sea discovery of an epic battle by David Mearns and Rob White, who were involved in the channel 4 documentary. A good website to try is:
http://www.hmshood.com/hoodtoday/2001expedition/hood/wreckplaque.html

 

[Blood]

thanks unclean, have seen this before, but it is very interesting. Particularly considering the evidence from the wreck etc. Much obliged.

 

[OldJenny]

I only have my ex husband's word (!!) for it but he said he met Ted Briggs on the Phoebe. Maybe he wasn't on there for the whole commission.

Anyway I went to the Hood's Association dinner on Saturday at the Royal Home club. Ted was there. He is the last surviving member now as the other chap died last year.
I took a photo and also a couple of a 1/200 scale model of the Hood.
One veteran there was 107 years old. A lovely bloke.

I'll try and download the photos and post them here.

Ah, having read the other posts on this thread then I have done my ex a disfavour. He was on the Loch Killisport in the Far East so it was there not the Phoebe.

 

[OldJenny]

I've had it confirmed by Nutty who remembers my ex. It was the Loch Killisport. Apologies for the misunderstanding.

 

[scapa]

Thanks for the info Blood. Maybe I should have got more details from my uncle whilst I had the chance, but seeing as he died many years ago that could now be difficult.

Does anyone know at what depth the Hood is lying? The Bismark is apparently at about 3000 metres and looks to be in quite good nick (one previous owner, low mileage), although not quite seaworthy.

Are there any details/photos available of the Hood's final resting place?

look on the hood association website, theres quite bit on the expedition a few years ago to find the wreck ,which they did http://www.hmshood.com/

 

[JedS]

I only have my ex husband's word (!!) for it but he said he met Ted Briggs on the Phoebe. Maybe he wasn't on there for the whole commission.

Anyway I went to the Hood's Association dinner on Saturday at the Royal Home club. Ted was there. He is the last surviving member now as the other chap died last year.
I took a photo and also a couple of a 1/200 scale model of the Hood.
One veteran there was 107 years old. A lovely bloke.

I'll try and download the photos and post them here.

My ex husband served with Ted Briggs on the Phoebe from 66-68.

My Dad served on the Hood from 38-40.

Who was your ex-husband OJ? I was on the Phoebe from 1966-68 (the first commission - commissioned in Glasgow).

 

[janner]

@OldJenny

 

[JedS]

Cheers mate!

 

[Hector]

The ships bell was recovered from the wreck site and is now in the RN museum in Pompey.
I met Ted Briggs at the annual memorial service in Boldre, Hampshire. managed to have a chat with him at the end of the service. He served with my grandfather (Yeoman) in the same department during the Bismark action.