HMS DELHI, HMS DAUNTLESS, HMS DANAE, HMS DRAGON AND HMS DUNEDIN 1ST LCS, HOME FLEET
(MP090). Alma Claude Burlton Cull (1880-1931). Watercolour signed and dated 1922 and annotated by Cull, in pencil, with the ships' names beneath.
Limited Edition worldwide: 10 copies
18 x 7ins (45.72 x 17.78 cm)
£130-145
It was not often that these small but hard worked light cruiser squadrons were painted in the years after the Great War. They were perhaps regarded as unglamorous compared with the eye catching capital ships that generally featured in the paintings of this period but there is evidence that Cull was commissioned by Sir James Fergusson (RA 1st LCS) to paint this watercolour. A brisk breeze here is whipping up a chop that is flicking back along the weather decks of the cruisers: it feels cold and raw! Rear Admiral Sir James Fergusson KCMG CB (Rear Admiral Commanding 1st Light Cruiser Squadron) is leading in his flagship HMS DELHI (Captain F L Tottenham CBE RN) and the remainder of the squadron are maintaining station: DAUNTLESS (Captain G O Stephenson CMG RN), DANAE (Captain F C Fisher RN), DRAGON (Captain C V Usborne CMG RN) and DUNEDIN (Captain H S Munroe DSO RN).