The anchor of the ship was not located in the same direction as the out stream cables that anchor it. The front part and the pipes that hold the anchor are severely crushed or deformed, while the remaining structure aft and below is also damaged. It seems that the ship’s internal structure has collapsed or disappeared, leaving only a shell on its port side. The bow of the ship is approximately 30.5 meters (100 feet) in length.
Please be aware that it may take some time to fully load this page. In order to reduce the inherent “murkiness” in underwater photographs, we have brightened/lightened them slightly. Please take note that some of these photos have been modified.
The ship’s bottom was a shade of dark grey or black, and we have now verified that this is an outdated graphic. Please disregard the reddish hue of the ship’s bottom. By observing the size of the bow section depicted in a computer graphic, the reader can understand its current condition. Although not entirely precise, this subsequent image provides a close approximation. At the top, there is a collection of images taken in July 2001. The bottom section displays the views of Hood’s bow, both in the past and the present.
The stanchions and wooden flagstaff, along with the “bull ring” and the tip of the bow, or “prow”, have all been removed. It is worth mentioning the different deck fittings and the existence of some teak decking. The section is surrounded by a degaussing cable/coil, which served the purpose of demagnetizing the hull in order to avoid attracting magnetic mines.
You can observe how the lower structure of the bow has been severely crushed. Additionally, you can see a section of cable/anchor chains. The large starboard bow fairlead of Hood’s is also visible here.
Moving aft, one can now see the rear half of the large starboard bow fairlead intact and the anchor/main visible, as this is a smaller chain that was ultimately laid against the top page of the Honour Roll plaque. It is still visible, as shown in the photo from 1940, that the size of this chain is the same as the counterpart, but smaller.
At the beginning of this page, as evident in the 1940 bow photograph, there was also a smaller fairing on the left side. This fairing allowed the degaussing cable to go up and around the anchor, which was basically a metal plate attached to the top edge of the hull. The front edge of the degaussing cable fairing on the right side is also visible, and the wooden planks become more noticeable as you go further back.
This was an opening in the starboard side of the ship’s forecastle deck, which extended up through the forward anchor storage. One can also see the starboard forward pipe hawse. It seems that the twin cables, which are exposed, are notably damaged. Additionally, there is more damage to the fairing of the degaussing cable.
Fairing and cable degaussing caused further damage to the bow. The most forward bollard can be seen attached to a piece of decking that has collapsed downward. At this point, the interior of the bow is gutted. Moving aft from the forward pipe hawse, the rear pipe hawse is visible.
This is the aft starboard pipe hawse. Once in her late career, Hood had two anchors to starboard, but they were removed at some point. The opening through-deck of the pipe hawse was covered with a topside grating. The place is still here, but it takes the appearance of a cavernous bow on a rather downward collapsed and out of sight deck.
Behind the back hawsepipe, the hull is mostly empty.
This is the broken end of the bow section, where the capstans were once located, notably twisted and tangled.
Another perspective of the front of the ship. On the right side, the bow is severely damaged.
The crushed appearance may have been caused by a dual combination of the decks being ripped out and the implosion. The lower bow area, which is noticeably depressed and deformed, is particularly prominent in this perspective. The fairing, heavily damaged, extends from this point aft. If you observe the fairing closely, you will notice a rectangular opening within it. Additionally, the starboard forward hawse pipe openings are clearly visible. Another perspective shows the forward section of the degaussing cable fairing.
Here is another view of the forward portion of the degaussing cable fairing. Both starboard hull hawse pipe openings are also visible.
Close-up of the bow.Although rusty and covered with silt, traces of Home Fleet Dark Grey paint can still be seen in places.