A Thornycroft S-class destroyer in harbour (with the outline sketched on the reverse) RMG PV3473, William Lionel Wyllie, circa 1918

A thornycroft s-class destroyer in harbour (with the outline sketched on the reverse) this loose and rough watercolour study shows a destroyer in port-bow view, probably alongside given that she is flying her jack, though the background is indeterminate. She has a single gun on a raised platform on the forecastle and funnels of equal height. The only class to have these features was the thornycroft s-class of five ships. The 'speedy' was launched on 1 june 1918 and was sunk in collision in the sea of marmara on 24 september 1922. The 'tobago' was launched on 15 july 1918, then was mined and severely damaged in the black sea on 12 november 1920, not repaired, and broken up at malta in 1922. 'torbay' was launched on 6 march 1919, given to canada as 'champlain' in march 1928 and broken up in 1937. 'toreador' was launched on 7 december 1918, given to canada as 'vancouver' in march 1928 and broken up in 1937. The 'tourmaline' was launched on 12 april 1919 and was broken up at grays on the thames in 1931. [btodd/pvdm 5/13]. Date: circa 1918. Dimensions: 176 mm x 253 mm. Collection: Fine art.