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USS West Mahomet in port in 1918, its bow and hull painted with bold alternating dark and light diagonal bands.
Look closely. Let the image settle.
Camouflage / 1917 · dazzle scheme; photograph c. 1918

Dazzle Ships — Confusing Shape and Direction

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Bold geometric paint changes how a ship’s shape and heading are judged.

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Look at the bow facing the camera. Try to follow the real hull edges separately from the dark painted diagonals.

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THE IMAGE IN THIS ARCHIVE

Photographer not identified; Bureau of Ships Collection, US National Archives

Original file & attribution · Public domain

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Frequently asked questions

What is Dazzle Ships — Confusing Shape and Direction?

Bold geometric paint changes how a ship’s shape and heading are judged.

What should I look for in Dazzle Ships — Confusing Shape and Direction?

Look at the bow facing the camera. Try to follow the real hull edges separately from the dark painted diagonals.

What explains Dazzle Ships — Confusing Shape and Direction?

Large diagonal bands interrupt the hull’s continuous form and can create misleading cues about the bow and direction of travel. Dazzle is intended to confuse interpretation even when a ship remains easy to see. Historical combat effectiveness is difficult to establish.

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USS West Mahomet in port in 1918, its bow and hull painted with bold alternating dark and light diagonal bands.

Dazzle Ships — Confusing Shape and Direction