HMS REPULSE anchored in Athol Bight

Photographer Frederick Garner Wilkinson (1901-1975)

Date18 April 1924

Object number00037661

NameGlass plate negative

MediumEmulsion on glass

DimensionsOverall: 82 x 103 mm, 2 mm, 0.04 kg

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

DescriptionThis close-up view shows the foremast of HMS REPULSE anchored in Athol Bight on Good Friday, 18 April 1934. It was taken during a ferry trip from Circular Quay to Taronga Park, Sydney. REPULSE was visiting Sydney as part of the British Special Service Squadron's world tour in 1923-1924.HistoryDuring 1923-1924, the British naval ship HMS HOOD with the Special Service Squadron made up the Empire Cruise, a world tour that stopped at many countries who fought and held allegiance with Britain in World War I. The tour started on 27 November 1923 and lasted until 28 September 1924. The public relations exercise was an attempt to express Britain's world sea power, particularly relevant in the aftermath of World War I. HMS REPULSE was a Renown class battle cruiser built at Clydebank, Scotland. Launched in 1916 it joined the 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron during World War I. In the interwar period REPULSE took part in the Special Service Squadron's world tour in 1923-1924 and underwent a number of refits. World War II saw REPULSE protecting ship convoys and searching out German ships. On 10 December 1941 REPULSE sank after it was struck by Japanese torpedoes during a voyage to Singapore.SignificanceThe print is part of the F G Wilkinson Photograph Collection, comprising more than 700 glass plate negatives of ships in Sydney Harbour between 1919 and 1936. The collection provides an extensive and well-documented coverage of the changing styles of shipping in the port of Sydney before the decline of the coastal trade. The backgrounds also reveal the changing face of the city and harbour foreshores.