Here’s the 1st of two amazing Original Framed Sailors Woolworks or “Woolies”
Fabulous Royal Navy Sailors Woolie of the Pre-dreadnought Battleship HMS Bulwark (c.1902)
HMS Bulwark was one of five London-class pre-dreadnought battleships built for the RN that was commissioned in 1902. She was initially assigned to the Mediterranean Fleet as its flagship. The ship then served with the Channel and Home Fleets from 1907 to 1910, usually as a flagship.
Following the start of the First World War in August 1914, Bulwark, along with the rest of the squadron, was attached to the reformed Channel Fleet to protect the British Expeditionary Force as it moved across the English Channel to France. On 26 November 1914 she was destroyed by a large internal explosion with the loss of 741 men near Sheerness; only a dozen men survived the detonation. It was probably caused by the overheating of cordite charges that had been placed adjacent to a boiler-room bulkhead. Little of the ship survived to be salvaged and her remains were designated a controlled site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. Diving on the wreck is generally forbidden.
The large woolwork is in good condition with some minor marks commensurate with its age. It well presented behind glass in its original frame and depicts the ship in full steam with a smaller steam boat running alongside it. It measures 33” x 29” and would be a great addition to any collection.
I also have an identically framed HMS Andromeda (c.1897) woolwork in separate listing!
£750
Local delivery, U.K & International shipping available with collections welcome too
