15 inch Tampion
This is a 15" tampion from Hood. It is on display at the Palace Museum, Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania. The museum is a former palace of the Sultans who once ruled Zanzibar. In January 1924, Hood visited Zanzibar during the Empire Cruise of The Special Service Squadron. Sultan Khalifa Bin Harud visited the ship and entertained officials. This tampion wsa most likely presented to him at that time. This photo is courtesy of Ian MacDonald of British Columbia, Canada.
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Boat or Decorative Badge
This is a large metal badge which is believed to have been used aboard Hood. It had been brought home by crewman Colin Snelgrove. Colin would later lose his life when Hood sank on 24 May 1941. The exact purpose of this badge is unclear. It may have been a boat badge or possibly some form of interior decorative badge. This is in the collection of Alan Johnstone, who kindly sent this photo in.
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"Chunk" from Hood's Screw/Propeller
This is a chunk of manganese bronze. It came from one of Hood's starboard screws (propellers). Both screws were damaged during the January 1935 collision with battle cruiser H.M.S. Renown off Spain. The bronze has been inscribed "HOOD V RENOWN OFF AROSA 23-1-35". This was in the possession of the Hood family until 2006, when Lord Hood kindly donated it to the Hood Association. This is one of a small number of known surviving propeller "chunks" or "nuggets" (similarly engraved) from Hood.
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Metal Container Lid
This is an actual remnant from the sinking of Hood. It is the lid of a container that once held personnel/pay records. It washed ashore in Norway some time after the sinking. After several interesting twists and turns and nearly 4 decades, it was returned to Britain. The photo shown here is of Ted Briggs unveiling the lid at H.M.S. Centurion in May 1981. Special thanks to Ted Briggs who provided this photo.
Click on the photo to the right to learn the full story behind this item.
Wooden Boat Portion
This is a large fragment of a transom from the stern section of one of the boats carried by Hood at the time of her loss. It washed-up in Norway after her sinking, and was discovered sometime later. This is currently housed in the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. Special thanks to Ian Beattie who provided the photo seen here.
Click on the photo to the right to see an enlarged version.
5.5" Gun Tampion from H.M.S. Hood
Tampions (AKA "tompions") were used to plug gun barrel muzzles from exposure to salt and spray when not in use. This particular size was used on Hood's 5.5" guns. It would have originally had a dark blue background. This particular tampion was presented to a Canadian family for hospitality shown a Hood crewman in 1924 during the Empire Cruise. It is owned by Dr Ian Beattie, who supplied us with the information and photo seen here.
5.5" Guns on Ascension Island
This is one of the 5.5" guns removed from Hood in 1935. This and one other gun (known collectively as the "Hood Battery") are located on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic.
Click on the image to the right to learn more about the guns and Ascension Island.
Hood Items in Portsmouth Naval Base Museum
The museum holds several Hood artefacts and Hood-related items. The items shown here were on display to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Hood's sinking. A number of these items, to include superb models of Hood, Prince of Wales and Bismarck (all built by Colin Vass) are now on display in the museum's Lewin Gallery (20th Century). The museum holds the painting "Empire Day 1941," Ted Briggs's medals, several photos, a banjo, ash trays, badges and so forth. They even have a piece of shrapnel from Bismarck (removed from Prince of Wales).
Click on the photo to the right to see an enlarged version.
Equipment from Hood
Paul Cheney of Canada has collected some interesting pieces of equipment that were once used aboard Hood. These include a lamp, signal flags, some magazine keys and a hand-held signal lamp (shown on the right).
Click on the photo to the right to see photos and descriptions of all three items.
Bosun's Pipe from Hood
Steve Wiggett sent a photo of this pipe. It was formerly owned by Walter Smith, who was lost in the sinking of Hood.
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Decorative Badge from Hood
This item is believed to be from Hood. It's exact function is unknown, but we have theorised that it may have been the centrepiece to a life buoy rack. Of course, it may also be some sort of wardroom or even boat/launch decoration. The badge is made of brass and is mounted on a wooden plaque approximately 10½ inches across. This item is owned by Ian McCallum who supplied the photo and information posted here.
Click on the photo to the right to see an enlarged version.
Letters, Photos & Correspondence
Many people have old letters, photos and a variety of other correspondence from family members or friends who served aboard Hood during the 1920s, 1930s or 1940s. The examples shown here are Christmas menus. The left hand menu is from 1936 and was sent home by Len Pay, who was lost in the sinking of Hood. Photo courtesy of Glen Hughes. The right hand photo is a Christmas 1940 menu sent home by Albert Nuding, also lost in the sinking of Hood. Photo courtesy of John Stuksis.
Click on the photos to the right to see enlarged versions.
Cartoons & Artwork
Hood had her share of talented individuals. Among these were artists who created many entertaining cartoons and drawings.
Click on the image to the right to see examples of surviving cartoons & artwork.