Thanksgiving menu on board RMS MAKURA.

Date29 November 1934

Object numberANMS0390[025]

NameMenu

MediumInk on paper, string.

DimensionsHeight: 230mm, width: 320mm (when open).

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Barry Bonetti

Terms

DescriptionThanksgiving menu on board the Union Royal Mail Line RMS MAKURA under Commander Duncan MacDonald. Additional text reads 'Voyage 56. South / San Francisco to Sydney' and lists the officers including 'N M Bonetti Chief Officer'. Inside contains the menu and music programme, as well as an area for autographs.HistoryThe twin-screw steamer MAKURA was built for the trans-Pacific service in 1908 by Stephen and Sons, of Linthouse Scotland. The vessel formed part of the fleet of the Union Steam Ship Company and carried a considerable amount of cargo and mail, but was mainly employed in the luxury transportation of passengers between New Zealand, Australia and Vancouver. MAKURA was requisitioned for service in World War I, after which she was converted to burn oil instead of coal. In 1936 MAKURA was sold to Chinese shipbreakers, by which time she had steamed over 2,300,000 miles. The Union Steam Ship Company was established in 1875 in Dunedin, New Zealand by James Mills who continued with the company until his death in 1936. The company built up an impressive fleet of passenger and cargo ships for coastal and overseas services. In 1972, bowing to economic pressures, the organisation ceased trading under the title Union Steam Ship Company, with the business transferring to the newly formed Tasman Union Ltd.SignificanceShipboard menus such as these were often printed to be souvenirs and were collected as mementos of their travels by crew and passengers. Many shipping companies produced their own series of collectable menus with themes such as exotic destinations or historic events.