A German round fired from a surfaced U-Boat strikes the starboard side of a British Victory Ship, her crew watching her fate from a lifeboat. Early in the war, the German U-Boat Fleet wrecked havoc on British shipping, attacking more than 128 American and British Liberty Ships. By 1943, American and British technological advancements, especially in the use of sonar and aviation spotters, cut into the effectiveness of the U-Boat fleet. Still, the most successful U-Boat of World War II, U-48, sunk 52 confirmed vessels in a five year period.

Dawson’s wartime paintings, often performed in the oil tonal values of grisaille to assist setting the mood and tone, reflex some of the triumphs and tragedies of specific moments and painful reality of warfare. Many of these works were for publications, and more still for direct commissions by the British Admiralty, both as a whole and as individuals.

Very few Victory Ships were recorded as attacked by U-Boats during the war. Attacks on Liberty Ships were more frequent, due to their vast numbers. Eighteen American shipyards built 2,710 cargo vessels of this class from 1941 to 1945, more than any other single class in all of maritime history. In comparison, 531 Victory ships were built and launched in 1944-1946. Slightly larger and technologically more advanced, they were faster and contributed significantly to the Allies eventual victory.