A photograph of the QUEEN ELIZABETH leaving Clydebank in late February, 1940.

photograph

PHOTOGRAPH
Hall, James
Great Britain, Scotland, Clydebank
1940
paper
overall: 6 1/2 x 8 1/2 in.

A photograph of the QUEEN ELIZABETHn late February 1940, leaving the Clydebank in Scotland where it was built, for its secret trip across the Atlantic. The ship was built for passenger service, but by the time it was nearly ready, war had been declared in Europe. To protect this important asset, the decision was made to get it out of England. Elaborate preparations were made for a trip to Southampton for the ship's final fitting out, with the knowledge that the Germans would have intelligence of her plans, and a crew was brought aboard with the belief that they would simply transport it to that southern port. After it was underway, the ship received its secret orders, to dash directly across the Atlantic Ocean to New York. This photograph was taken by a professional photographer, James Hall of Gourock, Scotland.

2020.39.7094