Summary: The preparation of HMS Howe for her first voyage.
Description: The workmen of Fairfields shipbuilders complete their work and leave the ship for the last time: the Royal Navy formally accepts the ship (Captain C H L Woodhouse, ex-HMS Ajax, first commander); in the engine room, the Naval engineers receive instruction from their civilian predecessors; taking on stores and ammunition for the secondary armament; the crew come aboard with their kitbags; the Chaplain holds a service on deck; tugs manoeuvre the Howe out of dock; once outside harbour, ammunition for the main (14-inch) guns is loaded; the Howe sails under her own power. Passing under Forth Bridge; lowering anchor; launching a Walrus reconnaissance plane. 'Domestic' side (ship's bakery, dental and medical facilities). Under way again; firing a salvo. (All the above accompanied by an emotional/bombastic commentary.)
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:No
Object_Number:COI 172
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1942
Production Country: GB
Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
Gaumont British News (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Woodhouse, Charles Henry Lawrence (person)
Royal Navy, Howe (regiment/service)
Fairfields (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British - seaplane: Supermarine Walrus (object name)
industry, British - ships (object name)
operations, British naval - routine (object name)
ships, British naval - battleship: Howe (object name)
weapons, British - shell: 14-inch (object name)
GB, Scotland & Firth of Forth <Forth bridge> (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 957 ft; Running time: 11 mins
