| Accession Number | P04139.003 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Place made | Netherlands East Indies: Java, Batavia |
| Date made | February 1942 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
A harbour tug crosses the bow of the 8-inch gun cruiser HMS Exeter as she lies anchored in the ...
Description
A harbour tug crosses the bow of the 8-inch gun cruiser HMS Exeter as she lies anchored in the congested harbour of Tanjong Priok, the port for Batavia, now Jakarta, in the first days of February, 1942. Exeter helped clear the congestion, taking thirty merchant ships to sea. Exeter had been heavily damaged at the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939. Her post-battle repair and modernisation is reflected in the tripod masts, twin 4-inch high angle guns and the tubs on ‘B’ turret for twin .50-inch machine guns. Exeter escorted convoys to Singapore and, on 27 February 1942, was damaged in the Battle of the Java Sea. She survived the battle only to be sunk on 1 March by a Japanese cruiser squadron, in company with the destroyers HMS Encounter and USS Pope.