Montague Dawson, (British, 1890-1973)

The tribal-class destroyer H.M.S. Eskimo in pursuit, guns ablaze

The tribal-class destroyer H.M.S. Eskimo in pursuit, guns ablaze
signed 'MONTAGUE DAWSON' (lower left)
oil on canvas
61.5 x 92cm (24 3/16 x 36 1/4in).

H.M.S. Eskimo was one of twenty-seven Tribal-class destroyers, each named after native peoples of the British Empire, armed with 4 twin 4.7-in. guns and capable of 36-knots. Eskimo's keel was laid down by the High Walker Yard of Vickers Armstrong at Newcastle-on-Tyne on 5th August 1936, and she was launched on 3rd September 1937, and commissioned on 30th December 1938. Her pennant number was changed multiple times throughout her career, the first change being from L75 to F75 in 1939, and then to G75 in 1942.

H.M.S. Eskimo's most notable action was under the distinguished Commander St. John Aldrich Micklethwait during the Second Battle of Narvik of the 11th April 1940. This engagement took place during the German invasion of Norway, their intention being to gain greater control over iron ore trade from Sweden to Germany. Four German heavy destroyers took shelter in Rombaksfjord, putting up a smokescreen as defense. Eskimo, under the leadership of Micklethwait, navigated through the smokescreen running into plain sight of the German ships. A fierce fight then ensued, with Eskimo relentlessly firing upon the German ships whilst using her speed and agility to evade two fans of torpedo fire. However, one torpedo from a third fan struck, blowing off her bow. Regardless of this, Eskimo continued firing upon the German ships until she had incapacitated each of them. Following from the engagement she would be towed back to home soil dragging her bow, being repaired and returned to service in late 1942. Commander Micklethwait received a bar for his Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his command during the battle.

Before the end of the war H.M.S. Eskimo would go on to see action throughout Europe, in North Africa, the Arctic and the Indian Ocean, perhaps most notably assisting in Operation Husky of 1943, the allied invasion of Sicily. In late 1945 she returned to the U.K., was used as a target ship in 1948, before being broken up in 1949 ? the last of the Tribal-class destroyers.