A COMMEMORATION event celebrating the 100th anniversary of the launch of HMS Hood took place in Clydebank’s West College Scotland, where a model of the mighty battleship was unveiled.

The vessel, ordered in 1916, was the largest warship ever commissioned by the Royal Navy.

In May 1941, at the Battle of Denmark Strait, the ship was sunk with the single worst loss of life ever suffered by the Royal Navy.

Only three crewmen survived, while 1,415 perished when the Hood exploded and sank in just three minutes after being shelled by the German battleship, the Bismarck.

Present at the commemorative event on August 22 were the president, vice president and members of the HMS Hood Association (HMSHA), representatives of the Royal Navy, sea cadets, community leaders and shipbuilding apprentices.

One hundred years ago to the day, “The Mighty Hood”, pride of the Royal Navy, was launched on the Clyde at John Brown’s Shipyard – which is now the site of West College Scotland.

The model of the ship was previously on display in the Netherlands, at the Polderhuis Museum of Westkapelle, and was gifted on the day to the HMSHA, who have now loaned it long-term to the college.

Audrey Cumberford, principal of West College Scotland, said: “The loan of the magnificent model of the Hood, which we intend to put on public display, is just the latest example of the HMSHA’s generosity.

“Today’s event was a celebration of the industrial and shipbuilding heritage of Clydebank.

“We know those days won’t return but, as a college, we will continue to work to ensure that the present generation of Bankies have the skills and training to be able to make their own history.”

Videos were shown of the Hood, the finding of her wreck in 2001 and the retrieval of her bell by HMSHA vice president David Mearns three years ago with the support of Microsoft’s Paul Allen.

Mr Mearns described the experience as a “dream”.

Historian Ian Johnston made a presentation of the ship’s construction before the seven-foot museum-quality model was unveiled.

Rear Admiral Wilcocks, HMSHA’s president, said: “We have talked a lot about the loss of life, but I’d like to remind us of the great joy that would have been present on this day 100 years ago.

“We are bringing the model to the college to have something more tangible than just a picture available.

“Anyone can come and see the Hood’s model and have a better idea of what she looked like.”

Two years ago, the college held a ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of the laying of the keel of the ship and the HMSHA presented the college with a plaque to commemorate the date.

Ms Cumberford added: “I remember at the last event feeling very emotional and here we are two years later celebrating the launch and it feels just as emotional.

“I have attended few events where you could have heard a pin drop, and this was one of them.”

The HMSHA was founded in 1975 by survivors and veterans who served on the mighty battleship.

The organisation aims to promote interest in the ship’s history to people of today and to commemorate her dead.

William Sutherland, chairman of the HMSHA, said: “The story of the Hood is a remarkable one which began right here in Clydebank.

“She became an object of national pride in the inter-war years and her sinking by the Bismarck shocked the nation.

“As an association, our task is to remember all the officers, men and boys who sailed in her, particularly the 1,415 souls who perished when she went down.”