Scruffy Guardian Angels by steelrazer
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Description
We seldom think of the supply chain in a conflict because it's, well, not very glamorous and exciting, but without the quartermaster corps or the courageous merchant marine sailors, no heroic fighter pilot or intrepid infantryman would last much more than a day in a conflict. (I guess that's something to think about!)
Especially the Merchant marine, who not only braved the elements and the harsh mistress, the Sea, but who still had to deal with the day to day anxiety and very real danger of enemy aircraft and the silent and efficient fleet of enemy U-boats picking them off one by one. To help alleviate the danger, the allied shipping fleets were given protection with destroyer and corvette anti-submarine escorts which made it more difficult for the enemy to have their way with the very lightly (if at all) armed cargo ships and tankers.
The Flower-class corvettes were represented in this class. Primarily used for anti-sub escort duties, they were not a glamorous ship and definitely not pleasant duty. The design of the boat made for a very rough ride, with every bow dip into the waves it leaked water in the habitable compartments making them constantly damp and dripping water, and to exacerbate the situation, the crew was doubled from its intended occupancy. The unpleasant combination made for a wet, crowded and uncomfortable, jarring tour of duty. Resignation to the rigors of their assignment was probably a more necessary trait than bravery in their case. Whatever the sailors of the corvettes felt, I'm sure the merchant marine were appreciative of their protective presence.
My primary effort in this was the rough Atlantic seas and to try to use as little postwork as I could. Ultimately I added a slight bit of noise to the foreground waves, and adjusted the gamma a bit, but no other postwork.
HMS Bluebell: Excellent Flower class corvette by rjordan at active-rendering.de, with a touch of texture tweaking
T-2 SE A1 Tanker, Esso Glascow: Another most excellent ship model by rjordan at the same source. Re-textured in "blah" grey for the conflict in the old basement lab.
Liberty ships: From sketchup warehouse by Tesler
Captain on Buebell bridge: Domus with spiffy RN uniform by Tryphon. Thank you Luis.
C4dCE+XLPoser 7, Vue6Infinite, PS Cs3
Comments (11)
T.Rex
Excellent work. Looks like a photo. As for this ship type, the German submariners found that their torpedoes often passed under the corvette's hull instead of hitting it and exploding. They were thus feared by sub crews. Smaller than a destroyer, they were also harder to detect. There is a good biography "The Cruel Sea" by Nicolas Monserrat, captain on a corvette. Be prepared for frightening reading - this is the REAL stuff! Keep up the good work! :-)
London224
This is very nice Bill...and as expected, you have done a great job on the water swells, lighting and even the small items like the caption which most people would not have bothered with. You also have your unique skill of depicting motion, be it in the air or on the water like this.. you always have a great sense of motion.
e-brink
Yes, you're right, the supply chain is everything in battle. Great naval imagery! I like the rolling sea very much.
Kratoonz
Great job
longprong
Ex merchant marine engineer myself and my farther before me served 39 - 45 on north Atlantic convoys so I have a particular interest in this type of artwork. Great atmosphere and thanks for creating an often neglected subject
Tamarrion
I live a few hours' drive from HMCS Sackville, one of the last of the Flower - class Corvettes. Having seen her up close, it amazes me that anyone would have the courage to sail the North Atlantic in something so small. And to brave enemy U-boats and air attacks on top of that! Wow. Very nicely done.
AliceFromLake
Great work with many details. It lets one feel like the seamen on that ship.
iborg64
Stunning image first class looking sea
debbielove
Possibly the toughest, most dangerous job at any time in the war! U.S. shipping soon found out that it very tough out there.. But, very dangerous and uncomfortable thought THIS was, the most lethal at any time was a Malta convoy.. Almost all ships were either sunk or damaged on that run until Pedestal.. The U.S. Tanker Ohio got though and saved Malta.. It was held up by two Corvettes, and after unloading, it sank.. Its Captain was awarded Britain's highest medal for non U,K. persons. Reading : Pedestal : Peter Smith on Crecy label Excellent! Rob
neiwil
Add to all this the freezing conditions on the Arctic convoys and admiration is increased further.....great representation Bill. Given the instability issues, maybe a little roll and pitch on the Bluebell?...a small point that does not detract from a magnificent image..... 10/10+
Cyve
It's a fabulous creation and very great composition... Fantastically well done !