THE LAUNCH OF SS WAR FOREST [Allocated Title]

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  • 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.
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM (IWM 589)
  • Featured Period: 1914-1918
  • Production Date: 1918-09
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details:
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: Pirrie, William J (person)
  • Keywords: ships, British civilian - cargo: War Forest (object name) ceremonies, British - event-related: ship launching (War Forest) (object name) ships, British civilian - cargo: Petworth (object name) ships, British civilian - assistance: harbour tug (object name) industry, British - ships (object name) defences, British - passive: dazzle painting (object name) transport, British civilian - rail (object name) 31/3(41) (event) GB, Wales & Chepstow, Mon (geography) (concept)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent Soundtrack language: None Title language: None Subtitle language: None
  • Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 659 ft; Running time: 11 mins
  • HD Media:Yes
  • Notes: Summary: SS War Forest, the first standard ship built at Chepstow, was launched on 23 September 1918, in the presence of approximately 2000 people Series continuity: there is no film held as IWM 590
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    IWM 589

  • Related IWM Collections Objects:
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