Monochrome Warships
@monochromewarships.bsky.social
Posting naval images from the 20th century that I accumulated from auction sites during lockdown.
Post-war (1950) postcard of Italian Condottieri-class cruiser Raimondo Montecuccoli. The twin turret main guns are so close together that from a distance they look like a single barrel. #navalhistory
August 24, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Post-war (1950) postcard of Italian Condottieri-class cruiser Raimondo Montecuccoli. The twin turret main guns are so close together that from a distance they look like a single barrel. #navalhistory
Namesake of the Soviet Kirov-class cruisers. Upheld the fine tradition of the Russian navy of getting a bit of kicking from countries it has been sent to pick fight with. In this case the Finnish, during the Winter War. Don't start what you can't finish... (I'm here all week...).
August 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Namesake of the Soviet Kirov-class cruisers. Upheld the fine tradition of the Russian navy of getting a bit of kicking from countries it has been sent to pick fight with. In this case the Finnish, during the Winter War. Don't start what you can't finish... (I'm here all week...).
Regia Marina heavy cruisers Trento & Trieste with the funnels of the liner Conte de Savoia visible behind. Conte di Cavour-class battleship lurks in the background. #navalhistory
August 4, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Regia Marina heavy cruisers Trento & Trieste with the funnels of the liner Conte de Savoia visible behind. Conte di Cavour-class battleship lurks in the background. #navalhistory
Kreigsmarine destroyers Paul Jakobi (21), Z7 Hermann Schoemann (23) & possibly Z6 Theodor Riedel. Background looks like it may be Ceuta, which the 2nd Destroyer Division visited in 1938. #navalhistory
July 28, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Kreigsmarine destroyers Paul Jakobi (21), Z7 Hermann Schoemann (23) & possibly Z6 Theodor Riedel. Background looks like it may be Ceuta, which the 2nd Destroyer Division visited in 1938. #navalhistory
Not a warship but loving the dazzle. SS Europa in wartime paint scheme.
A liner with an 'interesting' history, including catching fire several times, a partial sinking, and making it through WW2 intact, it is incredible that she managed to have a 32 year career.
A liner with an 'interesting' history, including catching fire several times, a partial sinking, and making it through WW2 intact, it is incredible that she managed to have a 32 year career.
July 25, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Not a warship but loving the dazzle. SS Europa in wartime paint scheme.
A liner with an 'interesting' history, including catching fire several times, a partial sinking, and making it through WW2 intact, it is incredible that she managed to have a 32 year career.
A liner with an 'interesting' history, including catching fire several times, a partial sinking, and making it through WW2 intact, it is incredible that she managed to have a 32 year career.
Who's a good boy? You're a good boy, yes you are. Go on, bite a Nazi.
A German Shepherd sitting in front of the main 4.1" gun on a Type 1935 M-class minesweeper.
A German Shepherd sitting in front of the main 4.1" gun on a Type 1935 M-class minesweeper.
July 14, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Who's a good boy? You're a good boy, yes you are. Go on, bite a Nazi.
A German Shepherd sitting in front of the main 4.1" gun on a Type 1935 M-class minesweeper.
A German Shepherd sitting in front of the main 4.1" gun on a Type 1935 M-class minesweeper.
Shanghai, 1927. French armoured cruiser Jules Michelet, US armoured cruiser Pittsburgh, and Japanese protected cruiser Chikuma(?) flying their respective flags and trying to look menacing amid mounting tensions. Though how obsolete cruisers will menace anyone is beyond me.
#navalhistory
#navalhistory
July 10, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Shanghai, 1927. French armoured cruiser Jules Michelet, US armoured cruiser Pittsburgh, and Japanese protected cruiser Chikuma(?) flying their respective flags and trying to look menacing amid mounting tensions. Though how obsolete cruisers will menace anyone is beyond me.
#navalhistory
#navalhistory
Type 1935 M-class minesweepers M3 & M8 in harbour. Of interest is the rail turntable in the foreground. 69 built, 34 lost in WW2. #navalhistory
July 6, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Type 1935 M-class minesweepers M3 & M8 in harbour. Of interest is the rail turntable in the foreground. 69 built, 34 lost in WW2. #navalhistory
Hi! I'm back! Sorry for being a bit quiet of late. As a way of an apology, have a collection of Spica class torpedo boats at Naples. The closest two boats, Aldebaran and Altair, were both sunk 20/10/1940 by mines laid by mine-laying sub HMS Rorqual.
What would the collective noun would be?
What would the collective noun would be?
July 5, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Hi! I'm back! Sorry for being a bit quiet of late. As a way of an apology, have a collection of Spica class torpedo boats at Naples. The closest two boats, Aldebaran and Altair, were both sunk 20/10/1940 by mines laid by mine-laying sub HMS Rorqual.
What would the collective noun would be?
What would the collective noun would be?
Nimitz-class carrier USS Abraham Lincoln looking the business and showing off her air wings.
No source for this one, back of the photo is blank, so if anyone is able to advise, I'm all ears.
#NavalHistory
No source for this one, back of the photo is blank, so if anyone is able to advise, I'm all ears.
#NavalHistory
April 23, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Nimitz-class carrier USS Abraham Lincoln looking the business and showing off her air wings.
No source for this one, back of the photo is blank, so if anyone is able to advise, I'm all ears.
#NavalHistory
No source for this one, back of the photo is blank, so if anyone is able to advise, I'm all ears.
#NavalHistory
Another Associated Press photo, sent by wire, of the rescue of British sailors in Norwegian waters. Possibly Glowworm crew? The press release is not short on hyperbole, but is rather short on accuracy, with some rather wild claims, including "...the biggest sea battle in history."
#NavalHistory
#NavalHistory
April 9, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Another Associated Press photo, sent by wire, of the rescue of British sailors in Norwegian waters. Possibly Glowworm crew? The press release is not short on hyperbole, but is rather short on accuracy, with some rather wild claims, including "...the biggest sea battle in history."
#NavalHistory
#NavalHistory
April 8, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Glowworm lost her bow, drifted away & her boilers exploded shortly after, taking many of her crew with her.
Her commander Lt Cdr Gerard Roope, drowned during rescue. He received a posthumous VC, partially on the recommendation of Hipper's commander.
Source Associated Press photo.
#NavalHistory
Her commander Lt Cdr Gerard Roope, drowned during rescue. He received a posthumous VC, partially on the recommendation of Hipper's commander.
Source Associated Press photo.
#NavalHistory
April 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Glowworm lost her bow, drifted away & her boilers exploded shortly after, taking many of her crew with her.
Her commander Lt Cdr Gerard Roope, drowned during rescue. He received a posthumous VC, partially on the recommendation of Hipper's commander.
Source Associated Press photo.
#NavalHistory
Her commander Lt Cdr Gerard Roope, drowned during rescue. He received a posthumous VC, partially on the recommendation of Hipper's commander.
Source Associated Press photo.
#NavalHistory
On this day in 1940, off the Norwegian coast, a lone RN destroyer encountered the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper & her escorts. The outcome was predictable but HMS Glowworm didn't go down without a fight. After being severely mauled and set ablaze, Glowworm turned and rammed the Hipper.
1/2
1/2
April 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM
On this day in 1940, off the Norwegian coast, a lone RN destroyer encountered the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper & her escorts. The outcome was predictable but HMS Glowworm didn't go down without a fight. After being severely mauled and set ablaze, Glowworm turned and rammed the Hipper.
1/2
1/2
A postcard of U-boat tender Saar. Launched in 1934, she survived the war, was captured by the US, transferred to the French navy, and served until the 70's. Eventually sunk as a target in 1976.
#NavalHistory
#NavalHistory
March 31, 2025 at 9:56 PM
A postcard of U-boat tender Saar. Launched in 1934, she survived the war, was captured by the US, transferred to the French navy, and served until the 70's. Eventually sunk as a target in 1976.
#NavalHistory
#NavalHistory
A brace of Didos / Bellonas. Possibly post-war? Anyone able to ID? Looks like the left one has qty 2 x 5.25" forward turrets, and the right one has qty 3.
#NavalHistory
#NavalHistory
March 29, 2025 at 1:54 PM
A brace of Didos / Bellonas. Possibly post-war? Anyone able to ID? Looks like the left one has qty 2 x 5.25" forward turrets, and the right one has qty 3.
#NavalHistory
#NavalHistory
Very much so
March 15, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Very much so
The wounded are brought aboard one of the Scharnhorsts. My guess is that this was taken during Operation Berlin, a successful Atlantic raiding sortie carried out by the sisters from January to March 1941, judging by the date of the press release.
Anyone able to shed more light?
Anyone able to shed more light?
March 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
The wounded are brought aboard one of the Scharnhorsts. My guess is that this was taken during Operation Berlin, a successful Atlantic raiding sortie carried out by the sisters from January to March 1941, judging by the date of the press release.
Anyone able to shed more light?
Anyone able to shed more light?
"Surely you can't be Sirius?"
"I am Sirius - and don't call me Shirley.'
Leander-class frigate pre-1975 Exocet conversion. Photos from someone's harbour tour perhaps?
#NavalHistory
"I am Sirius - and don't call me Shirley.'
Leander-class frigate pre-1975 Exocet conversion. Photos from someone's harbour tour perhaps?
#NavalHistory
March 4, 2025 at 7:27 PM
"Surely you can't be Sirius?"
"I am Sirius - and don't call me Shirley.'
Leander-class frigate pre-1975 Exocet conversion. Photos from someone's harbour tour perhaps?
#NavalHistory
"I am Sirius - and don't call me Shirley.'
Leander-class frigate pre-1975 Exocet conversion. Photos from someone's harbour tour perhaps?
#NavalHistory
G'day sports. HMS Vengeance in the Captain Cook Engraving Dock, Sydney, sometime in 1945. She was loaned to the Australian Navy from November 1952 to October 1955. She was then sold to Brazil in 1956, where she served as Minas Gerias until 2001.
#NavalHistory
#NavalHistory
March 2, 2025 at 11:58 PM
G'day sports. HMS Vengeance in the Captain Cook Engraving Dock, Sydney, sometime in 1945. She was loaned to the Australian Navy from November 1952 to October 1955. She was then sold to Brazil in 1956, where she served as Minas Gerias until 2001.
#NavalHistory
#NavalHistory
Double Dutch...
HNLMS Limburg motoring past HMS Tiger. Just look at those twin Bofors 120 mm L/50 turrets. And the large number of crew casually milling about on deck. Source; from a private photo album.
#NavalHistory
HNLMS Limburg motoring past HMS Tiger. Just look at those twin Bofors 120 mm L/50 turrets. And the large number of crew casually milling about on deck. Source; from a private photo album.
#NavalHistory
February 28, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Double Dutch...
HNLMS Limburg motoring past HMS Tiger. Just look at those twin Bofors 120 mm L/50 turrets. And the large number of crew casually milling about on deck. Source; from a private photo album.
#NavalHistory
HNLMS Limburg motoring past HMS Tiger. Just look at those twin Bofors 120 mm L/50 turrets. And the large number of crew casually milling about on deck. Source; from a private photo album.
#NavalHistory
USS America makes a hard turn to starboard. She holds the distinction of being the largest warship ever sunk, albeit deliberately. She was used as to investigate the survivability of supercarriers in live-fire situations, after which she was sunk in a controlled scuttling.
#NavalHistory
#NavalHistory
February 27, 2025 at 7:28 PM
USS America makes a hard turn to starboard. She holds the distinction of being the largest warship ever sunk, albeit deliberately. She was used as to investigate the survivability of supercarriers in live-fire situations, after which she was sunk in a controlled scuttling.
#NavalHistory
#NavalHistory
Who doesn't love a Leander? HMS Hermione, in pre-1980 layout, ploughing through some chop. No idea as to the source as nowt scribbled on the back of the photo.
#NavalHistory
#NavalHistory
February 25, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Who doesn't love a Leander? HMS Hermione, in pre-1980 layout, ploughing through some chop. No idea as to the source as nowt scribbled on the back of the photo.
#NavalHistory
#NavalHistory
What does this photo and Lizard Point have in common? They're both the arse end of Cornwall.
HMS Cornwall was the last Type 22 to be retired from service in 2011. Here she passes RMAS Rollicker, a superb name for an ocean-going tug, which dates the photo somewhere between 1988 - 1997.
#NavalHistory
HMS Cornwall was the last Type 22 to be retired from service in 2011. Here she passes RMAS Rollicker, a superb name for an ocean-going tug, which dates the photo somewhere between 1988 - 1997.
#NavalHistory
February 23, 2025 at 6:19 PM
What does this photo and Lizard Point have in common? They're both the arse end of Cornwall.
HMS Cornwall was the last Type 22 to be retired from service in 2011. Here she passes RMAS Rollicker, a superb name for an ocean-going tug, which dates the photo somewhere between 1988 - 1997.
#NavalHistory
HMS Cornwall was the last Type 22 to be retired from service in 2011. Here she passes RMAS Rollicker, a superb name for an ocean-going tug, which dates the photo somewhere between 1988 - 1997.
#NavalHistory