The keel laying of the light cruiser Hawke on No. 5 Slip, Portsmouth Dockyard, Hampshire

The first keel plate of the light cruiser Hawke laid onto the blocks of No. 5 Slip in Portsmouth Dockyard by Miss Clarke, the sister of the Admiral Superintendent, Vice-Admiral Marshal Llewelyn Clarke CB, DSC, who is watching. Twelve dockyard officials, a Royal Navy Captain and a Commodore are also in the photograph. One of the officials is presenting Miss clarke with a memento of the event. The declivity board with a spirit level on top is laid on the centre of the keel plate. No. 3 Smithery is in the background. The Portsmouth Dockyard negative register number P21/43 is written in the bottom left corner of the negative.