HMS CANADA (STARBOARD QUARTER), 1918 (MP180)

Gerald Maurice Burn (1859-1945).  Watercolour signed and dated 1918

Built by Armstrong at Elswick 1911-1915 to order for the Chilean Navy and originally named VALPARAISO, this ship was essentially a lengthened Iron Duke but with shorter focsle, extra space for main machinery and a greatly lengthened quarterdeck. Having been renamed by the Chileans ALMIRANTE LATORRE, under direction from the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr Winston Churchill, the ship was purchased from Chile by Great Britain in September 1914 whilst fitting out, and renamed again, this time HMS CANADA. Modified for RN service she joined the Grand Fleet in October 1915 and with her ten 14 inch and 16 six inch guns was a welcome addition to Admiral Jellicoe’s dreadnought numbers.

As Gerald Burn’s painting accurately shows, she had a very imposing appearance – the shortened focsle, raised and enlarged funnels and apparent trim by the head - making her stand out from the crowd; the wonder is that this distinctive looking dreadnought bearing such a fine and proud name, was not painted more by artists of the time. This watercolour is a therefore a special find indeed! HMS CANADA was in the Grand Fleet’s battle line at Jutland in 1916 and gave valuable and hard service throughout the Grand War. On cessation of hostilities in 1918 she started a refit in Devonport to return her for service in the Chilean navy and she sailed for Chile in 1919 named, once again, ALMIRANTE LATORRE (although her quarter name plates read only “LATORRE”). She returned to the UK for a big refit in 1929 and remained in commission in the Chilean navy until the early 1960’s.

Gerald Burn (according to E H H Archibald’s “Dictionary of Sea Painters”) was born in Hammersmith in London and was the son of an architect. Educated at the London University School Gerald later went to Antwerp, Dusseldorf and Paris to study art and exhibited on the Continent and at the Royal Academy, London. In later life he moved to Amberley in West Sussex and if this watercolour is anything to judge him by his marine paintings, anyway, were technically very sound and accurate: he has captured this great dreadnought’s unique features perfectly, it seems.

The copyright of this painting is being sought from Burns’ estate: if granted it is planned to make a limited edition of 25 copies.

Limited Edition: 25 copies worldwide

Standard size: 17.25 x 11.5 ins (44 x 29 cms) approx. - awaiting outcome of copyright approval

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