Description
Honoring the Four Heroic Chaplains
On February 3rd, 1943, the US Army transport Dorchester was struck by a German U-boat’s torpedo and sank within only 20 minutes. There were 902 passengers on board, en route in a convoy from the United States to an Army Command Base in southern Greenland. On board were also four chaplains, who were termed the “Immortal Chaplains” for their selfless actions and sacrifices they made in the cold North Atlantic waters. The four Army chaplains were Lt. John P. Washington (Roman Catholic) top left, Lt. Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed) top right, Lt. Alexander D. Goode (Jewish) bottom left and Lt. George L. Fox (Methodist) bottom right. They remained a comforting and calming presence in the chaotic scene of the early morning sinking. Witnesses recall hearing their voices among the terror. The chaplains helped distribute life jackets until those ran out, and then they gave up their own jackets to others. Of the 902 men aboard the Dorchester, 230 survived and 672 perished. As the ship went down, survivors in nearby rafts recalled seeing the four chaplains, praying on the slanting deck with their arms linked.
I designed this as the center piece of a three part Display (printed 54" x 36") & inserted inside a window box display. Made of faux stained Glass and very old and pixelated photos of the chaplains. It was a lot of fun and humbling to create this, Hope you all appreciate the endeavor.