What: Convoy PQ 17: The Art of History
Where: Maritime Museum of B.C.
When: To Feb. 28
Admission: Free this weekend to members of the Canadian Armed Forces
What: Requiem for PQ 17
Where: UVic Centre Farquhar Auditorium
When: Sunday, 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20, students $15
The Second World War battle between maritime convoys and U-boat submarines will be remembered in soulful dance, music and a museum exhibit this weekend honouring Convoy PQ 17.
Code name for a disastrous June-July 1942 convoy, PQ 17 was bound for Russia with relief supplies. But of the 35 supply-laden merchant vessels, only 11 made it safely to port.
Words such as “melancholy” and “shameful” have appeared in subsequent histories to describe the ill-fated convoy.
The Maritime Museum of B.C. has created an exhibit to illustrate Convoy PQ 17 and the artistic efforts that are inspired by such history, including a performance this weekend by the Victoria Symphony Orchestra.
It is a partnership between the museum and the artistic community that will see the VSO stage the dance and musical piece Requiem for PQ 17 on Sunday afternoon at the University of Victoria.
Requiem for PQ 17 is written by Victoria composer Christopher Butterfield and choreographed by Toronto artist Bill Coleman.
It has been previously performed in Russia and Victoria.
Requiem is a special piece for both Butterfield and Coleman, whose fathers were merchant sailors during the war.
Coleman’s father, Joe, was on a ship, the Bolton Castle, that was part of PQ 17 and was sunk.
He returned on a another ship and was sunk again, close to the U.K., this time suffering burns.
PQ 17 was just one of the convoys sent through Arctic waters with aid and supplies to what was then the Soviet Union.
It was also the first Anglo-American convoy, under the command of the Royal Navy. Intelligence sources had indicated the German battleship Tirpitz might be on the loose.
After the convoy had passed the halfway point to Russia, the Royal Navy, perhaps thinking that the convoy was about to meet the heavily gunned Tirpitz, ordered the merchant vessels to scatter and proceed to Russia.
Escort British and American warships were ordered back, leaving the widespread, unprotected merchant vessels easy prey for U-boats and aircraft. More than 150 merchant sailors were killed.
Requiem for PQ 17 will be performed Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the UVic Centre Farquhar Auditorium.
Tickets cost $20 for the public and $15 for students.
The Maritime Museum of B.C. will have Convoy PQ 17: The Art of History on display until Feb. 28. Admission is free this weekend to all members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
For more information on museum hours and tickets, go to mmbc.bc.ca.
