Title:THE LAUNCH OF SS WAR FOREST [Allocated Title]
Film Number:IWM 589
Other titles:
Summary: Launchings at the government-owned shipyard, Chepstow, in 1918 including that of the first standard ship.
Description: I. Low-angle medium shot of dazzle painted hull of SS War Forest on slipway. Pan across crowd of soldiers and civilian workers, some of whom cheer and wave to camera. Medium close-up of (?) Lord Pirrie, Controller General of Shipbuilding. Medium close-up of anonymous colonel and captain of Royal Engineers among the spectators. Close-up as merchant hull is launched, passing left to right through frame, and pan over vessel after she has taken to the water - her dazzle painting includes a false anchor. Medium shot as tug manoeuvres the newly launched hull. Crowd disperses after the launch. II. Chepstow. Panning high-angle medium long shot across shipyard. Medium and medium close-up shots as workers pass by, some waving to the camera - young apprentices and women are among the crowd. Medium close-up as sapper stands on railway platform and signals with a board - perhaps to signify the opening of a spur line to the shipyard - soldiers cheer and wave their caps in background. III. Medium shot from mid-channel to SS War Forest on the slips - railway trucks pass along the skyline. Medium shot off port quarter during the launch. Low-angle medium close-up of stern and view along the hull. Panning high-angle long shot across shipyard. IV. Medium shot off port beam as SS Petworth is towed aft from fitting out bay - the ship swings round in mid-stream presenting bows and starboard side to camera. Medium close-up as Petworth slowly passes left to right through frame, with a tug in attendance, and medium shot off her starboard quarter as she makes away from the yard.
