The Casualty

This graphite work is one of a series being prepared for the Centenary of the Canadian Naval Service in 2010. It is also a backhanded tribute to the part, albeit small, that the United States played inthe 'Battle of the Atlantic'. The casualty, as seen from the deck of the salvage tug, is one of the American 'Libertys'. In the background, standing by ,is the escorting destroyer H.M.C.S. St. Croix; one of the old American four stackers that were part of the lend-lease program. She herself was to be a casualty when torpedoed by U 305 on Sept. 20/43. Her survivors were rescued by HMS Itchen; however ,all but one were subsequently lost when Itchen was herself torpedoed two days later.