Title:AN HISTORICAL OCCASION : the arrival of the advance guard of America's fighting forces in British waters [Main Title]
Film Number:IWM 562
Other titles:
Summary: Record of the arrival of US 8th Destroyer Division at Queenstown, Cork, on 4 May 1917.
Description: Opening close-up of Admiral Sims. Captions emphasise the kinship between the two peoples, and the "courage and fortitude" of the Americans. High-angle long shot pan across Queenstown harbour. ML.181 (flying pilot's flag), ML.325, and the Admiralty M Class destroyer, HMS Mary Rose, go out to meet the US ships. Medium long shot of two "fearless Merchantmen" passing through minefields. Long shot of 8th Destroyer Division in line ahead. Profile medium shot of flagship, USS Wadsworth (60), followed by USS Porter (59). Medium and medium close-up shots as USS Davis (65) passes - note searchlight platform rigged beneath mainmast. Medium shot of USS Wainwright (62). ML brings RN officers alongside USS Porter. Tracking medium shot from stern to bows of HMS Mary Rose. The British destroyer leads the US flagship and flotilla into harbour. USS Conyngham (58) crosses screen left to right, on her way to the Naval Dock. High-angle medium shot of two destroyers lying alongside Wadsworth, and medium close-up of forward 4-inch gun and bridge, shot from the eyes. Commanders Taussig (USN) and Evans (RN) in medium close-up. US destroyers at moorings - including USS McDougal (54). Medium close-up of Flag Captain Carpendale (RN) and US consul among a reception party waiting onshore to greet the American officers, who arrive in a steam pinnace - note Arabis type Flower Class sloop in background as officers leave the pier. US officers visit Vice-Admiral Bayly at Admiralty House, and go to the US Consulate (situated over O'Reilly and Sons Machine Bakery). Onboard ship, American crewmen overhaul guns and machinery - close-ups of 4-inch guns, 21-inch torpedo tube, etc. Final "scene of sadness" as a rescue ship disembarks survivors from a torpedoed vessel - close-ups as walking wounded and stretcher cases come ashore.
Production Details: Admiralty (Production sponsor)
Engholm, F W (Production company)
Engholm, F W (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Sims, William Sowden (person)
Taussig, J K (person)
Evans, Edward Ratcliffe Garth Russell (person)
Carpendale (Flag Captain) (person)
Bayly, Lewis (person)
Royal Navy, Mary Rose (regiment/service)
Royal Navy, ML181 (regiment/service)
Royal Navy, ML325 (regiment/service)
United States Navy & Destroyer Div 8 (regiment/service)
United States Navy & Wadsworth (regiment/service)
United States Navy & Porter (regiment/service)
United States Navy, USS DAVIS, destroyer (1916) (regiment/service)
United States Navy & Wainwright (regiment/service)
United States Navy & Conyngham (regiment/service)
United States Navy, USS MCDOUGAL, destroyer (1914) (regiment/service)
Keywords: ships, British naval - destroyer: Mary Rose (object name)
ships, British naval - light forces: ML181 (object name)
ships, British naval - light forces: ML325 (object name)
ships, United States naval - destroyer: Wadsworth (60) (object name)
ships, United States naval - destroyer: Porter (59) (object name)
ships, United States naval - destroyer: Davis (65) (object name)
ships, United States naval - destroyer: Wainwright (62) (object name)
ships, United States naval - destroyer: Conyngham (58) (object name)
ships, United States naval - destroyer: McDougal (54) (object name)
weapons, United States naval - gun: 4-inch (object name)
weapons, United States naval - torpedo: 21-inch (object name)
society, British naval - friendship (object name)
society, United States naval - friendship (object name)
casualties, British maritime (object name)
12/3(261.2).7 (event)
GB, Ireland & Queenstown, Co Cork <harbour> (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Silent
Soundtrack language: None
Title language: English
Subtitle language: English
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 1527 ft; Running time: 25 mins
