WHAT "DAZZLE" DID

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 1, 26 September 1919, Page 7

WHAT "DAZZLE" DID

ASTOUNDING REPORTS BY NAVAL OFFICERS . PUZZLING MOVEMENTS OF CAMOUFLAGED SHIPS Some highly interesting statements as to the effect of dazzle-painting ships were made in a must informative palter read recently to the North-East Coast Institution victory meeting by Lieutenant-Coin, mncder Norman Wilkinson, E.N.V.R., who wag responsible for the designs. Tho following testimony by officers of the Koyal Navy, requested specially to report upon the appearance of the vessel's, shows how skilfully tho work was done: HJM.S. Martin, September 27, 1917. Sighted oiler Clam, about six miles, four points on starboard bow, and for Some time could make nothing of her. When about four miles distant I decided it was a tug towing a lighter, with r. short drift of tow rope. The lighter, towing badly and working to the windward, appeared to be steering an opposite course. It was not until she was within half a. mite that I could make out she was one ship steering a course at right angles, crossing from starboard to port. The dark painted stripes on her afterpart made her stern appear her bow, and a broad cut of green paint amidships looks like; a patch of water. The weather was bright and visibility good; this wasthe best camouflage I have over seen.

11. M.Y. Sayonara, October 1, 1917. September 25, 9.55 a.m„ sighted H.M.S. Ebro, in the Sound of Mull on the port bow. end on. She appeared to alter course to port immediately after and seemed to continue to do eo, whereas, in reality, she was altering her course to starboard. I should think confusion would bo caused in aiming gun or torpedo. I was so sure a]t> was trying to cross my bows that I was on the point of stopping my engines and going full speed astern to avoid a collision, when I discovered that she was altering course to starboard. After passing the vessel it was almost impossible to say how she was steering.

H.M.S. Mischief, October 18, 1917. At about 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 17, whilst proceeding up tho Firth of Clyde in H.M.S. Mischief, I observed a convoy of s-cmo eight ships, oilers, etc., proceeding to sea in a single lino ahead. No. (i in the line was "dazzle-painted," and appeared to me to be steering at least eight points different from the other ships in the line. So remarkable was this optic* illusion that I sent for all my officer:-', and asked their opinion as to the course of tho ship. Not one officer agreed within four points. This optical illusion remained until the ship in question was past our beam, when it was seen that she was steering the samo course as the others.

H.M.S. Mantua, 1!) 0.8. Convoy Section. The dazzle scheme on the starboard side of Ascunius is excellent. The ship sonic-times appears to be going in Hie opposite direction, and in misty weather her couise cannot he judged within eight points. On a bright moonlight night she was invisible at one mile.

And much mr.re to the same effect, showing how difficult if. must hnvo been in the later days for the "U" boats .to nim with any degree of accuracy.