Sketch for 'The Heroism of the Jervis Bay, 5th November 1940

Details

Montague Dawson, F.R.S.A., R.S.M.A. (Chiswick 1895-1973 Midhurst)
Sketch for 'The Heroism of the Jervis Bay, 5^t^h November 1940
inscribed and dated 'The action of armed merchantman/the "Jervis Bay" with the German/Battleship of the "Graf Spee" class./The Jervis Bay went out to engage/the German, & thus enabled her/convoy to scatter, & very few men/lost, it was a very gallant/action & the "Jervis Bay" was sunk./Nov. 5^t^h 1940' (on the reverse)
bodycolour, on card
9½ x 20¼ in. (24.2 x 51.4 cm.)

Special notice

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Lot Essay

Launched in 1922, H.M.S. Jervis Bay was originally a British liner who was converted into an armed merchant cruiser during World War II. Whilst escorting a convoy of thirty-seven merchant ships from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Britain, she came across the German battleship Admiral Scheer. Her captain, Edward Fegen, ordered the convoy to scatter, and set a course straight towards the German warship with all guns ablazing. Although hopelessly outgunned, H.M.S. Jervis Bay continued to fight until she caught fire and sank on 5th November 1940, 755 nautical miles south-west of Iceland. Although Admiral Scheer went on to sink five merchant ships from the convoy, H.M.S. Jervis Bay's last stand and sacrifice allowed the rest of the convoy to escape.

Captain Fegen was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross as a result of this action. The citation for this award reads: "Valour in challenging hopeless odds and giving his life to save the many ships it was his duty to protect".

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