MISCELLANEOUS FIRST WORLD WAR NAVAL MATERIAL 1 [Allocated Title]

Eight sequences of miscellaneous footage of naval activities during the latter stages of the First World War.

I. Queenstown. Low-angle medium shot from small craft crossing bows of three US destroyers moored together in the harbour with a paddle minesweeper - two of the ships are USS Duncan (46) and USS Sterett (27). American bluejackets come ashore on R&R. Close-up head and shoulders of Commander Arwyne, USN. Low sun over harbour. (cf IWM 564) .

II. Sequence showing Italian Army officers with Royal Flying Corps men on an airfield - they are watching some sort of air display and then greet the returning pilots. The Italians, like cliche Latins, are rather more effusive than the British. Aerial view of a coastal town.

III. Medium close-up of HMS Brilliant prepared as a block-ship for Zeebrugge. Brief shot of Royal visit to HMS Queen Elizabeth. Medium shot of the crew of a trawler minesweeper (?) - one man peels potatoes, another holds a dog - all are rather scruffy and dirty but seem cheerful. Sequence showing a periscope cutting the water - taken from an unsteady small craft. Low-angle view from cameraship passing under Forth Bridge. Medium shot as steam pinnace comes alongside submarine K.16 for visit of Japanese Prince Fushimi (see IWM 550-02). Close-up pan from top to bottom of cut-down fore-funnel of Brilliant. Medium shot of upper works of three submarines alongside cameraship - H.21, H.43 and H.28 (?) - a fourth submarine is just visible at frame right. Continuation of sequence showing minesweeper crew. Close-up of smokescreen billowing left to right - no other detail. Long shot of periscope cutting surface heading away from camera and towards a merchantman on the horizon - all in a circular 'telescope' frame. Medium shot on HMS Furious to rear of aircraft as crew open out wings of Short 184 seaplane. Frontal view as Sopwith Pup is lowered onto the forward deck and pushed into take-off position. Close-up of HMS Brilliant. Long shot of periscope again, now in a binocular frame. Dockyard scene - a Lieutenant performs a jokey hornpipe for the camera. Medium shot over conning towers of H.21 and H.43 to ships in the harbour beyond. Close-up as a man holds a watch up to the camera - it indicates 12 noon. Long shot over sea - muzzle of a gun trained over cameraship's starboard beam is just visible at frame left. Long shot over anchorage in low light - a V/W Class destroyer is just visible in the gloom. Onboard shot of funnels and splinter-matted bridge of Brilliant.

IV. Surrendered U-boats at Harwich. Medium shot as cameraship passes three U-boats moored together - U.101, U.70 and U.67. A second group comprises UB.73, U.105 and U.86.

V. HMS Argus at Rosyth. Good medium shot off starboard bow of the dazzle-painted carrier - C Class cruiser in the background. Tracking medium shot stern to bow along starboard side.

VI. US Navy midshipmen march past on occasion of Geddes' visit to Annapolis (cf IWM 565). Royal party visits the flagship of the 6th Battle Squadron, USS New York and are given three cheers by the crew. Royal party boards HMS Queen Elizabeth - HMS Canada in the background. Cut back to Royal visit to New York - King George V is introduced to the ship's officers. Scenes from the First Allied Naval Conference - Sims, Jellicoe, De Lostende, etc (cf IWM 563).

VII. Queenstown. Low-angle track past USS Melville with three US destroyers alongside - a man semaphores from Melville. Sequence showing the visit of Sir Rosslyn Wemyss to the US destroyer division (cf IWM 564).

VIII. Wounded from Zeebrugge action are visited at the Royal Naval Hospital at Gillingham by King George V and Queen Mary accompanied by Admiral Sturdee.

35mm