HMS HOOD in Sydney Harbour

Photographer Samuel J Hood Studio (Australian, 1899 - 1953)

Date9 April 1924

Object number00035279

NameGlass plate negative

MediumEmulsion on glass

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionFrom 27 November 1923 to 28 September 1924, the British Royal Navy’s Special Service Squadron cruised around the world visiting and thanking those countries and allies who had offered their support during World War I. It was an opportunity to show naval strength and renew alliances. Samuel J Hood and possibly a number of other photographers belonging to his studio travelled to various vantage points and photographed the fleet's arrival in Sydney. This photograph of HMS HOOD was probably taken from Kurraba Point as Kirribilli House can be seen just above the ship's bow. It possibly depicts the moment when HOOD dropped anchor near Kirribilli Point, as described in 'The Sydney Morning Herald': 'The Hood carried on well up towards Fort Denison before sweeping around to Kirribilli. On reaching her anchorage the huge anchor, with its massive chain, dropped with a mighty roar and rattle. There was a great splash when the anchor touched the water, and a cloud of rust rose like a red smoke from the chain as it rattled out.' ["AT ANCHOR", The Sydney Morning Herald, 10 Apr 1924, p 11]SignificanceThe Samuel J Hood photographic collection records an extensive range of maritime activity on Sydney Harbour, including sail and steam ships, crew portraits, crews at work, ship interiors, stevedores loading and unloading cargo, port scenes, pleasure boats and harbourside social activities from the 1890s through to the 1950s. They are also highly competent artistic studies and views - Hood was regarded as an important figure in early Australian photojournalism. Hood’s maritime photographs are one of the most significant collections of such work in Australia.