Admiral Sir John Tovey (1885-1971) was in charge of the naval flotilla that sank the dreaded German ship Bismarck in May of 1941 – seventy years ago this spring. He was also a loyal churchman and an inveterate believer in the power of prayer.
He knew that even with the Bismarck being trapped by his squadron, his opponent’s gunnery was 100% efficient and her 9 inch and 15 inch guns had already sank the pride of the British fleet – HMS Hood.
In a sermon broadcast from St. Dunstan’s, Stepney, on January 30, 1949 Tovey commented: “Just before I took the ships into action I went down to my fore-bridge cabin and went down on my knees to pray for guidance and help. I suddenly felt as if all responsibility had been taken off my shoulders and I knew everything would be all right. We engaged the Bismarck and sank her and she did not score a single hit on any of our ships.”
Tovey concluded, to his church audience: “To my mind there is only one possible explanation.”