A 20 year journey, ending in the Royal dedication of the bell of the great warship, recovered from her wreck in the Denmark Strait. A Copia Productions film, in association with Maritime Films UK.
One of my biggest regrets was not writing to Ted and asking to meet him before he passed. I thought about it so many times and planned to go in rig as he only lived a few miles from me. He seemed to have been very good with his time, so I am guessing that he would have agreed to have met me. I did meet a sailor in 2008 that had been on the ship that put the last torpedoes into the Bismark. He saw the beast with his own eyes and I stayed in touch with him and his wife for a while. We had some lovely photos taken as well. I met him when I was at the RNA in Gloucester as I was there as part of HMS Gloucester taking part in November ceremonies. I so wish I had met Ted though.
For those who think it is grave robbing, I would argue ships bells being placed in maritime museums should be an exception. It honors, not insults their memories. Those who do so for profit should die at sea with their plunder...
If it were recent and they went down and found remains they probably would pick them up to be identified and buried by the family. Why would they do that, because it makes the family feel better. Some iconic piece of the ship could replace that missing finality, the ships will go to dust in most cases anyways. Grave robbing is like the Titanic collectors grabbing stuff to sell or be the center of a paid exhibit.
Hiya Seth. I agree and also think that the symbolic ringing of 8 bells signifies the end of the watch for the lost servicemen, the survivors and their families. They can stand-down from action stations and move on.
@@tonystanney3804 Fun fact that bell was the second thing that identified the wreck as hood. Since when both her magazines exploded and they found the wreck, the ship was so thoroughly destroyed that outside of the bell and torpedo hatches, it barely looked like a wreck of a warship. I stand corrected the torpedo hatches did indeed survive. Sorry.
I have to agree with you. When a ship sinks like that there is nothing for the survivors or the families. No place for them to go to commemorate them. Having the ships bell gives them that point of focus.
Seth Kimmel never keep history buried always reveal as much as possible in honor of those who have passed and for the safety and well-being of future generations.
My uncle was a wireless operator on HMS Prince of Wales on that fateful day. He would survive the sinking of his ship in '42, and spend 4 years in a Japanese POW camp. His witnessing the destruction of Hood haunted him until the end of his days. I hope he now rests more peacefully. "We will remember them."
Pride of the Royal Navy. For those who perished at the Battle of the Denmark Strait, never forgotten. Peace to all those sailors lost on the two great ships HMS Hood and the Bismarck. R.I.P.
Grandfather RN 18 years on ill fated HMS Barham. Grandmother a Lord Mountbatten secretary. Father imprisoned 3 years in a Japanese concentration camp. 2 Uncles AIF and CMF Tobruk, Milne Bay, New Guinea. Great grandfather AIF WW1 and WW2 wounded 4 times. They kept sending him back. RIP
For those who complain about people having money, Paul Allen provided for the recovery of the bell when government couldn't or wouldn't. God Bless Paul Allen, RIP.
Well i cant stop complaining when i see so much poverty, and 8 people in the world control as much resourses as the 50% poorest. How is that even remotely fair? That 8 people have just as much as 3.500.000.000 people.
Can’t imagine the survivors guilt Mr. Briggs must have felt. Poor gentleman but a true hero. Just him saying if I heard it correctly when he said “I should be with her.... I should be” that just hit me hard. Just looking at him when he says that, you see he is reliving that exact experience. RIP Mr. Briggs.
Thankfully his health improved and later he was able to journey out to the wreck, where he personally took the RV controls and laid a memorial plaque against the anchor chains
Many years ago, I saw an interview with him. He said something to the effect, “When my mum opened the door, I collapsed in her arms.” Obviously, those days were long before the 24 hour news cycle. I’m not even certain if the British government had told the public of the destruction of the Hood at that time. Keep in mind, the sinking of the HOOD, was as much of a shock as was the Titanic. The Hood, the pride of the British Navy, was old and very lightly armored. Yet, to the average British citizen, it was viewed as indestructible.
I have German and British family. My grandmother told me about my grandfather and said he served on the Bismarck. He never survived WW2 I would have loved to have talked to him about it.
Cheers to both Germany and UK from USA...hope Germany gets bismarks bell back as well... God bless ALL those who lost their lives ww1 and ww2....and those who survived as well.
. Ah go fuck yourself .....who gives a shit what you think....i don't ....if they feel like it represents the memories of their lost loved ones and want it back then I wish them luck.....take that social justice warrior crap and deep throat it.
Peace to the sailors of all Nations of the world who have died in the line of duty. I hope one day they also bring back "General Belgrano" bell home. Don't forget that there was a short but great war in 1982 in the South Atlantic where they lie sunk "HMS Sheffield", "HMS Ardent", "HMS Antelope", "HMS Coventry" and "HMS Atlantic Convenyor". Cheers from Argentina.
I was working at an empty house several years ago, and had to get the floor boards up. Under the lino were old newspapers from 1938-9. In one of the was a photo of a sailor home on leave, with his wife and baby. He was from HMS Hood. I wish I'd have kept it.
@@downlink5877 i believe that it was Robert Ballard who also found the Hood but i could be wrong. Bringing up anything though might not be the best thing as with Titanic. Its a resting place and its holy ground.
My grandfather served on the hood but disembarked before her fateful battle,he went on to fight on another ship as a gunner,suffered shrapnel wounds and was decorated by the King for gallantry.
Amazing how such a small bell compared to the size of the ship stuck out like a sore thumb as though saying here I am find me. Just amazing. R.I.P to all of the Hood members.
As a dane I am kind of proud of how the crew of the Triton helped with the service to the Hood, and how it made the people there feel about it. At least they could do something for the people who lost someone back then.
Ted Briggs lived about 10 houses away from my Dad in Fareham, he was an amazing guy and always up for a chat, I think he was the last of the survivors.
HMS HOOD still on patrol, Rest in Peace shipmates ❤. The Royal Navy bringing her home..Ships bell hold a special meaning for those who served in the Senior Service.
Unfortunately it wasn't the RN that brought Hood's bell home.... it was achieved after consultation with the British govt and the "HMS Hood association" by the US billionaire Paul Allen in 2015.
It's so sad that SIr Horace Hood died in the same manner that the ship named in honor of his great ancestor did. I'm glad they briefly mentioned that. May the ships company rest in eternal peace
A heartfelt thanks to Paul Allen and his team for recovering the bell. It means a great deal to me, one who currently serves, to know that those who have gone before are not forgotten.
It truly moves me when I see amateur historians if you like who really understand and empathize with all that any given historical item represents. As an American I've always had a strong sense of honoring the sacrifices made by those before us to ensure they're not forgotten, to do so is the ultimate disgraceful act which makes they're sacrifices for naught. As a free people it is our duty to ensure this is never allowed to happen. God bless those souls who gave their lives serving on the H.M.S. HOOD.
I was unaware of the bell recovery... What a wonderful act by Paul Allen! Only after his death learning of his love of naval history, and the expeditions he funded of RV Petrel in the Pacific, that have now discorered so many WWII ships from both sides. But seeing the bell of Hood...what an incredible treasure!!!
These heroes gave their lives to allow us to be able to live with the freedom we enjoy today. They will never be forgotten.The bell of H.M.S. Hood is a Memorial to all lost when she went down. They will be in our memories for ever.
Rest in Peace to all sailors that rest in the bows of warschips. From the Bismark , Hood , Arizona. May the get their freedom. I´m german sorry for the bad english
@KevGamer 3000 your English is actually quite good in my opinion. Good comment, may all the sailors that went down with their ships Rest In Peace they shall never be forgotten. KevGamer I’m Canadian half German so yay, you’re doing well with English right now
Your English is fine and you're right to cite Bismarck too. Both crews were doing their duty; men, mostly still very young in a war not of their choosing or making. Both crews paid the ultimate price. "They that go down to the sea in ships, and occupy their business in great waters; these men see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep."
Squire Praggerstope To be honest Bismarck had a very upstanding crew. Lütjens was a good man in all honesty a very smart captain and one of the few captains of the Kriegsmarine I actually liked.
A brave ship that went in harm's way one last time... She sails now with USS Arizona...May all the brave sailors of the Royal Navy and the United States Navy that died in action rest in honored peace...
Does being in the military automatically make you a "hero" or do you have to die first? What if someone was afraid and wanted out of the battle but were unable to leave and subsequently died, would they still be a "brave hero"?
Brave men on all sides fighting for their countries. Bismark lost even more men then the Hood. Costly loss in lives for all involved in the terrible "Great War."
While watching the first documentary (2004?) of finding the Hood's bell, I phoned my father to watch the show. He still remembered hearing the bell toll while on board the Hood when it was in Victoria BC. His father had taken him for tour while it was at Ogden Point as part of the 1923/24 world tour.
Sad yet Wonderful story. To the recovery team , well done . To the crew of the Hood ...... Our deepest gratitude for your sacrifice . Lest we forget .....
My friend Bill Stone was on the Hood in the 30's. Joined in 1918, he had 3 brothers in the RN so his dad wouldn't let him go until he was 18. Served until 1945. When he was 100, he looked about 70. He exchanged birthday cards with the Queen Mother, they had the same birthday. He was at the Cenotaph when the last three veterans from the services were still alive. Good old boy.
Even after being literally split in half, the mighty ship continued to defiantly fire back to the bitter end, surprising and gaining the admiration of one of the German officers on the Bismarck. Hood really went down as a fighter
@@MrJb1963 From "Battleship Bismarck - A survivor's story" By Baron Burkhard von Mullenheim Rechberg, Bismarck's 4th gunnery officer & senior ranking suvivior. "Convinced that the Suffolk and Norfolk would leave us in peace for at least a few minutes, I entrusted the temporary surveillance of the horizon astern through the starboard director to one of my petty officers and went to the port director. While I was still turning it toward the Hood, I heard a shout, "She's blowing up!" "She"-that could only be the Hood! The sight I then saw is something I shall never forget. At first the Hood was nowhere to be seen; in her place was a colossal pillar of black smoke reaching into the sky. Gradually, at the foot of the pillar, I made out the bow of the battle cruiser projecting upwards at an angle, a sure sign that she had broken in two. Then I saw something I could hardly believe: a flash of orange coming from her forward guns! Although her fighting days had ended, the Hood was firing a last salvo. I felt great respect for those men over there."
My Grandad served on HMS Hood for a time and was transferred to the HMS Nelson apparently weeks before Hood was sunk. He survived the war but sadly passed in 1994. Despite the fact he wasn't on Hood it still feels very emotional watching this. May they all rest in peace.
I have tears in my eyes. My father....FRANK ALBERT RICHARD GREEN.....was a wine stewerest on the KING GEORGE V.....and he told me, he once went on the HOOD, walked it length, then left. He lost many friend.
Thank you Paul Allen. Many people don’t realize it but Mount Hood in the state of Oregon and a backdrop for the city of Portland is named for the same person as the HMS Hood. Paul Allen was also owner of the Portland Trail Blazers NBA basketball team.
My grandfathers brother was believed to be in the magazine that was hit by the bismark. Thankfully he would never have known what hit him. May they all rest in peace.
So you would prefer all that steel be left to rust on the sea floor instead of being recycled into something useful, is this because you visit the wrecks often or you just sleep better knowing they're down there?
My long since dead father-in-law served on the Hood as a main armament gunner, many years before she was sunk. Like all sailors he had many a tale to tell, some very humorous concerning various ports around the world, "Blood and Guts street" in Malta for example. I do remember him relating the surreal feeling in the 15" gun turret as they fired, he said hardly any blast noise just a rushing sound and the gun recoiling back into the turret by several feet ! A lovely man much missed.
Yes he did, very much so, he served on the Hood in the late 20s when she was fairly new. He spent the war in a "reserved occupation" and worked hard all of his life, departing this life in 1970...
I'm glad to see the bell of HMS Hood come home to where it belongs on the shores of the United Kingdom a place these men fought so hard to defend and they paid the ultimate price in that defence and may they continue to REST IN PEACE and THANK YOU for your service
Thank you for sharing your story and for allowing us to comprehend the importance of the loss of this beautiful ship, and the ultimate impact of the recovery of this precious and priceless bell. I Salute you with pride. Xx
It's really a great thing that the HMS Hood's bell was brought up for all to see. I've seen comments on other videos stating that the Hood was just an old ship and didn't really deserve the accolades that it gets. I disagree. The Hood was a massive ship that even after 20 something years after production was still a very formidable ship. Brits should be very proud of the HMS Hood. And be very respectful of the sacrifice of all those men and teenagers. Be proud of you history and be proud of being Brits. Love & hopes for Britain from America.
Having lost an uncle at sea, I am in great sympathy. The USS Astoria, The USS Quincy, The USs Vincennes, and the Royal Australians Navy Canberra, all lost in one battle in Iron Bottom Sound in the 1942 Guadalcanal Campaign. May they all rest in Peace, until the Resurrection when we shall be reunited with every one.
It is a fitting tribute to all those men who perished that the bell of HMS Hood has returned to her home port after all these years. She was a beautiful ship, majestic, such fine lines, but no match for a modern capital ship. Her sinking and that of KMS Bismarck 3 days later points to the futility of war that so many fine young men had to die. Mr. Ted Briggs, one of the few survivors of this battle dealt with that anguish his entire life. May the souls of all these men RIP and their memories live on through this iconic memorial and the resting places of these two ships.
She got hit by a 1 in a million shot. Bismarck got lucky. Hoods' drew were more experienced and better trained. She had radar. Bismarck just got lucky.
Not really Bismarck trained against hood mock-ups so that she could have every possible outcome of victory Yes Hood's crew was better trained but her commanding officer miscalculated how close he needed to be to even hold a candle to Bismarck That's not to say that hood is not a strong ship but at the time of 1941 Bismarck was more modern faster fire rate and her secondary is where the main guns of other cruisers Bismarck knew that she needed to keep her distance but also continue to fire it was the job of Commander Holland to get the ship within 9 mi and fire upon Bismarck and he miscalculated@@sugarnads
The former enemies have become friends. Never again war between UK and Germany. So many unnecessary sacrifices in an unnecessary war. Rest in peace all soldiers who fell at sea and on land; they died bravely to defend their homeland RIP all Sailors of HMS Hood and KMS Bismarck 🇬🇧🇩🇪
My Paternal Grandfather served on the Hood pre-WWII. The family has an old photograph of him in his uniform with "HMS Hood" emblazoned across the cap tally. Coincidentally enough the family who once lived 2 doors away from my childhood home were relatives of [whom I presume to be] Midshipman William Dundas, one of the 3 survivors. I remember an old hand coloured portrait photograph hanging on the wall of their home of a man wearing a naval peaked cap. RIP to all the souls lost.
Great respect for brave men who died & those involved in recovery of the bell. We should also remember that a battlecruiser was never intended to engage with a battleship.
It was the Prince of Wales that actually hit the Bismark and caused her first damage Max, she was taken straight out of the dockyard without any time for the shakedown cruise all capital ships would have to fix any problems before entering service. Her guns did work, but not all at the same time which was obviously a serious disadvantage, I think one of her turrets jammed after firing a salvo and couldn't traverse and another lost the elevation control after shooting. On the other hand, the Germans weren't perfect either, when Bismark fired on the shadowing cruisers the shock of the recoil knocked out her own forward radar, blinding her detection ahead! Hood's tragic loss was sheer bad luck, if Bismark's shell had been fired one second earlier or one second later it wouldn't have hit her on her weakest point and she would have made it 'under the guns' where Bismark couldn't land plunging fire onto her decks.
we should remember the young men that gave there lives for what they tried to do sink the Bismark but a shell from the Bismark hot the amnion hold and tuck over a 1,000 lives we will remember them may they all R.I.P
There was a picture of my nana under the guns of A and B turret when my great grandfather was in the Navy. It has since gone missing and I would love to find it
This was so cool!!! Commander Warrands daughter and son??? Absolutely amazing. It really brings it to a human level. After all these years....we still remember them in 2018!! The lost crewmen finally have something to recognize their ultimate sacrifice. I'm American and I have so much respect for our friends across the sea.
My father James Godfrey Saunders went down with hood I was 14months young I still miss him very much god bless all who went down with my father and I am happy they retrieved the bell I got to touch it RIP
Hello Terry, If you're not already aware, if you go to the HMS Hood association website (If I put the link in this comment nice YT delete the post) there you will find an individual memorial page for Stoker 2nd Class James Godfrey Saunders P/KX 113344 of Wokingham Surrey, together with a couple of photographs of the courageous young sailor and a potted history of his life. I find it heartening to know that the association is doing its best to document, honour, and keep alive the memories of those brave crewman lost on that tragic day. All the best
@@terrysaunders3347 Good morning Terry !!! I do this quite often to relatives of the crew who post on here. Its a positive action in two ways... 1. The descendent of the venerated sailor will discover that their ancestor's sacrifice is STILL remembered & held dear. 2. The Association website is ALWAYS happy to receive confirmed photographs of crew members, not all of whom have had pictures submitted to help keep their spirit alive. I hope the page is of some comfort to you and your family. All the best Mate, Have a nice day.
The ironic thing about the Hood and the Bismark was the day of the battle ship was over. Bismark was relegated to the role of surface raiding and role that the U-Boat had done effectively and more cheaply. The destruction of the Hood was almost an accident as the Bismark had no orders to engage in ship to ship warfare.
Returning the ships bell seems fitting for the memories of all those men. It’s what they lived for upon that ship,everything they did was governed by the ships bell so returning the bell brings them home. 1415 souls and just 3 survivors !!!!. Thank you for your service and may you rest in peace. We salute and respect your ultimate sacrifice.
My father's best friend was lost on HMS HOOD. ( His name was Norman, last name unknown) My father never got over it despite himself fighting in North Africa and Italy and other places. The sacrifices of war have been so easily given up in Britain.
As it was then, and as it is now - these people display/ed exemplary bravery for which we all owe our freedom. It's very easy to take for granted. However, I do regularly consider their ultimate sacrifice Age shall not weary them...Perth, Western Australia
As the bell rings after finally being recovered, the souls of the crew of that mighty warship salute alongside their modern shipmates before moving on to their Final Patrol.
This is a wonderful video of events, and I’m so glad that the Princess Royal was the person to represent the Crown at the reception of the bell from the HMS Hood. I’m also extremely happy for the families of the _Hood._ What feels very strange is that it was 2 Americans who both led and financed this whole project, and I’m proud of David Mearns and Paul G. Allen as a fellow American, and for their selfless efforts. I should think the English billionaires especially should feel ashamed of themselves for not even offering to assist such a noble cause, but that’s fine….Americans have broad shoulders.
Hear hear !!! The same as another expedition to survey the wreck of the Hood and lay a plaque which was carried out by the Danish Navy. Apparently the the British puppet govt and the new improved RN were too busy doing their US masters bidding somewhere else... they certainly weren't patrolling the English channel that's for sure.
A truly uplifting film of HMS HOOD and to all that died upon her in May 1941 and a huge thank you to all participants who enabled HOOD'S Bell to be recovered and brought home,Thank you.
Most moving. Thanks to those who cared to recover the HMS Hood bell as a memorial of remembrance of the brave lost sailors. Heroes all. Never forget that the Royal Navy, their shipmates, exacted swift retribution upon the the evil regime's Bismarck.
The hood went down on my mums birthday 24th may she was 19 and working in a munitions factory and 3 of the sailors who went down on the hood where from her town of ashington, her brother my uncle served in the Royal Navy and was killed in the evacuation of Crete and until mum herself died she often talked about the loss of lives on the hood and never got over the loss of her brother, he is mentioned on the war memorial in ashington
