1905 Print Medway Chatham Dockyard Kent Navy Torpedo Defense William Wyllie Art

This is an original 1905 color print of a painting by William Lionel Wyllie of the boom set up across Medway to protect Chatham Dockyard from potential torpedo attack in the late 1800s. With tensions building globally, England had considered the dockyard to be reasonably safe until daring Lord Charles Beresford set about proving that it was vulnerable to an underwater attack at night. At the risk of his own life, he reached the dockyard in a torpedo boat under the cover of darkness and heavy fog. After the navy had gotten over their shame of not listening to his warnings, they set up the boom to avoid any unpleasant underwater visitors.

CONDITION

This 106+ year old Item is rated Near Mint / Very Fine. No Creases. No Natural Defects. No Surface Rub. No Tears. No water damage.

• Product Type: Original Color Print; Color
• Grade: Near Mint / Very Fine
• Dimensions: Approximately 8 x 5 inches; 20 x 13 cm
• Authentication: Serial-Numbered Certificate of Authenticity w/ Full Provenance
• Protection: Packaged in a custom archival sleeve with an acid-free black board (great for display, gift-giving, and preservation)

This piece was illustrated by Wyllie, William Lionel. Artist signature in print - bottom right of image.

Wyllie, William Lionel

English painter William Lionel Wyllie (1851-1931) specialized in maritime themes which he would execute beautifully in oils or watercolors. His love of the sea was drawn from his time spent sailing around Europe in a huff after two of his early pieces were refused by the Royal Academy. He married Marion Amy Carew in 1879, and the two of them had nine children together, five of which were buried before the two finally passed in the 1930s.

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