Historic cross of nails – a symbol of hope and survival – to go on display as part of Royal Naval Museum

News release issued: 2nd April 2007

An historic cross that was recovered from the wreck of the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Coventry after she was sunk during the Falklands War in 1982 is to go on display in a Portsmouth museum as part of an exhibition marking the 25th anniversary of the conflict.

The Cross of Nails is made up of medieval iron nails that were picked up from the ruins of Coventry Cathedral after it was destroyed by German bombing on 14th November 1940.  It was presented to HMS Coventry, a Type 42 destroyer, when she was commissioned in 1978.

HMS Coventry was sunk by Argentinian aircraft on 25th May 1982.  19 men were killed on that day and 25 were wounded.

The Cross was brought up when divers were sent down to the ship, lying in 300 feet of water, to recover classified material and make the wreck safe.  It was then returned to the Cathedral for safe-keeping until a new HMS Coventry, a Type 22 frigate, entered service in 1989.  On her decommissioning in 2003, the Cross returned once again to the Cathedral.

The Cross will feature in ‘Task Force South: The Royal Navy and the Falklands War’, a special exhibition at the Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, which opens on Saturday 31st March 2007.  The exhibition runs until February 2008.

Captain David Hart Dyke, Coventry’s Commanding Officer in 1982, said ‘The Cross was displayed in a central part of the ship and became a symbol of hope and survival to many of the ship’s company.  All other trophies were stowed away, but the Cross was allowed to remain in its familiar place, conspicuous and defiant, throughout the war’.

Julian Thomas, Head of External Affairs at the Royal Naval Museum, who travelled from Portsmouth to Coventry to collect the Cross, said ‘The Royal Naval Museum is extremely honoured to have been lent this Cross.  It is such a powerful symbol of heroism and sacrifice, having survived not one bombing, but two.  The Falklands War is still vivid in many people’s minds and the exhibition will offer visitors the chance to contribute their own opinions, thoughts and memories.’

The Revd Justin Welby, Canon for Reconciliation Ministry and Sub-dean of Coventry Cathedral, said, “The Cross of Nails has been a symbol of heroism, reconciliation and forgiveness for more than 60 years. Different HMS Coventrys have served heroically in many places, often in peace-keeping roles, and the Cathedral is honoured to be associated with the ships and crews carrying her name. This cross is, like many of the others around the world, a reminder of the terrible cost of war, and of the call to reconciliation. We are delighted that it will be exhibited as part of the exhibition".