HMS TIGER by moonlight, Plymouth, 1920

Frank Watson Wood has painted here one of his seemingly favourite scenes: Plymouth Sound by moonlight with a capital ship or two centre stage.  HMS TIGER (Captain The Hon W H D Boyle CB RN) has entered the Sound, it seems, to conduct a boat transfer before returning back to sea   We see here the boat tucked alongside the port after accommodation ladder where a floodlight or two has been rigged; navigation lights show she is still underway, albeit very slowly, until the transfer is complete enabling her to turn back to sea  In the background to the left there is another battle cruiser, an Indefatigable class, similarly slowly making way and probably conducting her own boat transfer.