Dazzle Ships of Liverpool

Dazzle, or Razzle Dazzle as it was known in the USA, was an unusual and experimental type of naval camouflage. It was used primarily during World War I.

The experimental type of naval camouflage known as Dazzle

History

Invented in the UK, it involved painting ships in striking geometric shapes with contrasting tones and colours. The idea was not to hide the ship but to confuse the enemy.

In 2014 as part of a project by the Imperial War Museum in conjunction with the Liverpool Biennial and Tate Liverpool, a pair of ships were painted by artists to commemorate dazzle.

Dazzle Ships of Liverpool

The first was the Edmund Gardner*, a pilot cutter that operated out of Liverpool since 1953. It is on display in a dry dock in front of the Liverpool Maritime Museum. Venezuelan artist Carlos Cruz-Diez painted the ship’s exterior in vivid green, orange, red and black stripes. He titled the work “Induction Chromatique a Double Frequence”.

The other ship painted was the Snowdrop, a working Mersey ferry. Peter Blake, a pop artist known for designing the cover of the Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s album titled his design “Everybody Razzle Dazzle.” This featured a wider range of both shapes and colors.

*2021 update: the Edmund Gardner has reverted to its previous colour; its hull is now black.

Nearby

Among the many attractions in Liverpool is the International Slavery Museum within the Merseyside Maritime Museum on Albert Dock. Also, if you arrive at Liverpool Lime Street Station, you cannot miss the huge St George’s Hall across the road. For Fab Four fans visit the Liverpool Beatles Museum in the Cavern Quarter.

A Dazzle Ship in Liverpool harbour

Hotels in Liverpool

Liverpool has a wide choice of accommodation. Recommended places to stay include Hampton By Hilton Liverpool City Centre, as well as the Titanic Hotel Liverpool, and also the four-star Jurys Inn Liverpool.

See here for a complete list of hotels in Liverpool.

Map of Liverpool in the northwest of England

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