British dazzle camouflage Type 1 Design B Port dated dated between 1917-1919

Source

National Archives (USA) Bureau of Construction and Repair-NIAD-56070313

Statement from the master of the ss Manchester Shipper about dazzle painting in 1918

The Committee on Dazle Painting appointed in April 1918 handed on 31 July 1918 her report about the value of dazzle painting over to the First Sea Lord.(1) In Appendix VII were the opinions of masters of merchant vessels submitted by Lieutenant Commander Wilkonson submitted and noted. The master of the ss Manchester Shipper stated at a vessel on two miles distance in bright moonlight could not be seen. Her horse boxes with a darker colour and the vessel in a light colour suggested a floating wreck. The ss Indian was painted in a much darker colour and was at the same distance all night visible.

Note

1. First Sea Lord was admiral Sir Rosslyn Erskine Wemyss (12 April 1864 London, England-24 May 1933 Cannes, England), served between 1877-1919, highest rank Admiral of the Fleet, First Sea Lord between December 1917-1 November 1919.

Source

National Archive. Record Group 80. General Records of the Department of the Navy. Series: Secret and Confidential Correspondence. File unit 140-Camouflage. 

British dazzle camouflage Type 3 Design C Bridge dated September 1917

Source

National Archives (USA) Bureau of Construction and Repair-NIAD-56070311

Statement from the master off the ss St. George about dazzle painting in 1918

The Committee on Dazle Painting appointed in April 1918 handed on 31 July 1918 her report about the value of dazzle painting over to the First Sea Lord.(1) In Appendix VII were the opinions of masters of merchant vessels submitted by Lieutenant Commander Wilkonson submitted and noted. The master of the ss. St. George stated that with “good designs scheme can be of greatest possible use.”

Note

1. First Sea Lord was admiral Sir Rosslyn Erskine Wemyss (12 April 1864 London, England-24 May 1933 Cannes, England), served between 1877-1919, highest rank Admiral of the Fleet, First Sea Lord between December 1917-1 November 1919.

Source

National Archive. Record Group 80. General Records of the Department of the Navy. Series: Secret and Confidential Correspondence. File unit 140-Camouflage. 

British dazzle camouflage Type 2 Design C Port dated between 1917-1919

Source

National Archives (USA) Bureau of Construction and Repair-NIAD-56070309

Statement from the officer of the ss Kurmala about dazzle painting in 1918

The Committee on Dazle Painting appointed in April 1918 handed on 31 July 1918 her report about the value of dazzle painting over to the First Sea Lord.(1) In Appendix VII were the opinions of masters of merchant vessels submitted by Lieutenant Commander Wilkonson submitted and noted. An officer of the ss Kurmala stated that the ss Bayano appeared at sea very much smaller than she really was. The dazzle scheme was highly thought of and he mentioned that it was difficult what the cours of the ship was and was she witted out with two or just one funnel.

Note

1. First Sea Lord was admiral Sir Rosslyn Erskine Wemyss (12 April 1864 London, England-24 May 1933 Cannes, England), served between 1877-1919, highest rank Admiral of the Fleet, First Sea Lord between December 1917-1 November 1919.

Source

National Archive. Record Group 80. General Records of the Department of the Navy. Series: Secret and Confidential Correspondence. File unit 140-Camouflage. 

British dazzle camouflage Type 3 Design D Starboard dated September 1917

Source

National Archives (USA) Bureau of Construction and Repair-NIAD-56070307

Statement from the master of the Tascalusa about dazzle painting in 1918

The Committee on Dazle Painting appointed in April 1918 handed on 31 July 1918 her report about the value of dazzle painting over to the First Sea Lord.(1) In Appendix VII were the opinions of masters of merchant vessels submitted by Lieutenant Commander Wilkonson submitted and noted. The master of the Tasculusa stated that an unknown dazzle painted ship was seed around 4 miles off Cape Town which appeared to be a miracle. Her direction could not be judged.

Note

1. First Sea Lord was admiral Sir Rosslyn Erskine Wemyss (12 April 1864 London, England-24 May 1933 Cannes, England), served between 1877-1919, highest rank Admiral of the Fleet, First Sea Lord between December 1917-1 November 1919.

Source

National Archive. Record Group 80. General Records of the Department of the Navy. Series: Secret and Confidential Correspondence. File unit 140-Camouflage. 

British dazzle camouflage Type 2 Design C Bridge dated September 1917

Source

National Archives (USA) Bureau of Construction and Repair-NIAD-56070305

Statement from the first officer of HMS Primrose about dazzle painting in 1918

The Committee on Dazle Painting appointed in April 1918 handed on 31 July 1918 her report about the value of dazzle painting over to the First Sea Lord.(1) In Appendix VII were the opinions of masters of merchant vessels submitted by Lieutenant Commander Wilkonson submitted and noted. He first officer of HMS Primrose stated that the HMS Delphinium and Daffodil were much distroted by dazzle painting. The HMS Arethusa was difficult to see in certain lights even at 6 cables [cable=1/10 of a nautical mile=1,852:10-185,2 metres] and HMS Rosemary and Gladiolus were to see (distance not stated) except in bright and sunlight. He expressed that white did not shew at night.

Note

1. First Sea Lord was admiral Sir Rosslyn Erskine Wemyss (12 April 1864 London, England-24 May 1933 Cannes, England), served between 1877-1919, highest rank Admiral of the Fleet, First Sea Lord between December 1917-1 November 1919.

Source

National Archive. Record Group 80. General Records of the Department of the Navy. Series: Secret and Confidential Correspondence. File unit 140-Camouflage. 

British dazzle camouflage Type 3 Design C Starboard dated September 1917

Source

National Archives (USA) Bureau of Construction and Repair-NIAD-56070303

Statement ofthe commanding officer of the ss Patricia from about dazzle painting in 1918

The Committee on Dazle Painting appointed in April 1918 handed on 31 July 1918 her report about the value of dazzle painting over to the First Sea Lord.(1) In Appendix VII were the opinions of masters of merchant vessels submitted by Lieutenant Commander Wilkonson submitted and noted. The commanding officer of the ss Patricia stated that on a distance of 7,000 the ss Valeria exactly looked alike of a destroyer.

Note

1. First Sea Lord was admiral Sir Rosslyn Erskine Wemyss (12 April 1864 London, England-24 May 1933 Cannes, England), served between 1877-1919, highest rank Admiral of the Fleet, First Sea Lord between December 1917-1 November 1919.

Source

National Archive. Record Group 80. General Records of the Department of the Navy. Series: Secret and Confidential Correspondence. File unit 140-Camouflage. 

British dazzle camouflage Type 3 Design D Bridge dated September 1917

Source

National Archives (USA) Bureau of Construction and Repair-NIAD 56070301.

Statement from the master of the ss Lumina about dazzle painting in 1918

The Committee on Dazle Painting appointed in April 1918 handed on 31 July 1918 her report about the value of dazzle painting over to the First Sea Lord.(1) In Appendix VII were the opinions of masters of merchant vessels submitted by Lieutenant Commander Wilkonson submitted and noted. The master of the ss Lumina stated that the ss Wae Soldier was particularly well camouflaged. At a distance 0f 7 cables by day and 3 cables [cable=1/10 of a nautical mile=1,852:10-185,2 metres] by night it was frequently not possible whether vessel was arriving or leaving.

Note

1. First Sea Lord was admiral Sir Rosslyn Erskine Wemyss (12 April 1864 London, England-24 May 1933 Cannes, England), served between 1877-1919, highest rank Admiral of the Fleet, First Sea Lord between December 1917-1 November 1919.

Source

National Archive. Record Group 80. General Records of the Department of the Navy. Series: Secret and Confidential Correspondence. File unit 140-Camouflage. 

British dazzle camouflage Type 3 Design C Port dated September 1917

Source

National Archives (USA) Bureau of Construction and Repair-NIAD(USA) Bureau of Construction and Repair-NIAD-56070299

British Committee of Dazzle-Painting appointed in April 1918

The First Lord (1) wrote on 15 April 1918 to the A.N.C.S. that it was hardly possible to evaluate the value of dazzle painting and if it actually worked in war conditions. It would be necessary to evaluate the results over a considerable period by a small standing committee during a few months. The committee would to exist of a representative of the A.N.C.S., one of the third Sea Lord (2), the Director of Statistics and captain Crease. The Committee had as tasks:

-to consider in de tails the results from dazzle painting as far as they have up to now been collated;

-to consider each month the results of dazzle painting as collated;

-to conducts investigations as to the circumstances under which the variois designs gave certan results and

-to give a reasoned report not later than the end of June.

In their report they would have write down their conclusions and whether in their opinion the results justified the time and labour involved. On 31 July was the report completed.

Notes

1. First Sea Lord was admiral Sir Rosslyn Erskine Wemyss (12 April 1864 London, England-24 May 1933 Cannes, England), served between 1877-1919, highest rank Admiral of the Fleet, First Sea Lord between December 1917-1 November 1919.

2. Third Sea Lord was rear admiral Sir Lionel Halsey 26 Feburary 1872 London, England-26 October 1949), highest rank admiral, Third Sea Lord between May 1917-September 1918.

Source

National Archive. Record Group 80. General Records of the Department of the Navy. Series: Secret and Confidential Correspondence. File unit 140-Camouflage. 

British dazzle camouflage Type 3 Design E September 1917

Bridge. Source National Archives (USA) Port-NAID-56070301

British dazzle camouflage Type 2 Design D between 1917-1919

Starboard. Source National Archives (USA) NAID-56070291.

Port. Source National Archives (USA)-NAID-56070295

British dazzle camouflage Type 2 Design E between 1917-1919

Port. Source National Archives (USA) NAID-56070287

British dazzle camouflage Type 3 Design D between 1917-1919

Bridge. Source National Archives (USA) NAID-56070283.