News on Screen

Series

Series Name

Pathe Gazette

Issue

Issue No.

39/67

Date Released

21 Aug 1939

Stories in this Issue:

• 1. HMS Formidable Launches Herself
• 2. Destroyer’s Dive to Davy Jones’ Locker
• 3. Grasmere Sports
• 4. Town Criers’ Contest at Lyme Regis
• 5. British Mission to the Soviet
• 6. Thames Ambulance Service
• 7. Launch of HMS Kenya
• 8. Sir Malcolm Campbell

Story

Story No. within this Issue

1 / 8

Summary

When Lady Wood, accompanied by Sir Kingsley, arrives at Harland & Wolff’s Yard to launch HMS Formidable, little do they know that the day is to end in tragedy. Half an hour before the ship is due to be launched, she suddenly starts to move. With presence of mind Lady Wood christens the ship as it moves down the slipway, tearing it to pieces. 22 people are injured and one woman is killed, but none of the injured are detained in hospital.

Keywords

Politics and government; Ceremonies; Navy; Accidents and disasters; Military

Length of story (in feet)

190

Story extras:

Film clip

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This series is held by:

Film Archive

Name

British Pathe Ltd

Email

info@britishpathe.com

Web

https://www.britishpathe.com/

Phone

0207 665 8340

Address

3.29 Canterbury Court
1-3 Brixton Road
London
SW9 6DE

Notes

Pathe now also handles the Reuters Historical Collection, which includes the British Paramount, Empire British, Gaumont Graphic and Gaumont British newsreels.

Series held

View all series held by British Pathe Ltd