H.M.S. Galatea and her sistership, H.M.S. Phaeton, sighting and bringing down a Zeppelin off the Schleswig coast, 4th May 1916 (illustrated); and H.M.S. Galatea starting out for dark night patrol

Details

William Lionel Wyllie, R.A, R.I. (London 1853-1931)
H.M.S. Galatea and her sistership, H.M.S. Phaeton, sighting and bringing down a Zeppelin off the Schleswig coast, 4^t^h May 1916 (illustrated); and H.M.S. Galatea starting out for dark night patrol
the first signed and dated 'W L Wyllie/1917' (lower right); the second, signed, inscribed and dated 'Galatea starting out for dark night patrol/W L Wyllie/1917' (lower right)
pencil and watercolour with scratching out, both on paper
10½ x 25½ in. (26.8 x 64.8 cm.); and 9½ x 18½ in. (24.2 x 47 cm.) (2)

Provenance

Acquired by the Hon. Mrs Marten of Crichel, Dorset.

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Lot Essay

Launched on 14th May, 1914, H.M.S. Galatea was an Arethusa-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy who served firstly at Harwich and then with the Grand Fleet taking part in the battle of Jutland, 31st May, 1916.

On 4th May 1916 with her sistership H.M.S. Phaeton, she took part in the shooting down of Zeppelin L 7. At the battle of Jutland, she was the flagship of the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron under Commodore E.S. Alexander-Sinclair and was the first ship to report the presence of German ships, triggering the battle. Early on in the action H.M.S. Galatea was hit by a 6" inch high explosive from the German light cruiser S.M.S. Elbing, but no explosion occurred. The battle of Jutland was the last occasion on which two great battle fleets engaged each other in full strength. Rather than being a single decisive battle however, it was, in fact, a series of smaller engagements spread over many hours during which the two fleets seperated into their constituent parts. Although the opening salvoes were fired at about 3pm. on the afternoon of 31st May 1916, the main action began at about 6pm. that evening and continued until the following day.

Photocopies of letters from the captain of Galatea, F.A. Marten, to his mother, dated 7th May 1916 and 4th June 1916, describing both actions are sold with this lot.

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