Captain William Collin

Date1860s -1914

Object number00045525

NameOil painting

MediumOil on canvas, on board

DimensionsOverall: 763 x 660 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionAn unsigned oil portrait of Captain William Collin. Captain Collin was a master mariner and an eminent figure in the Queensland coastal trade. He was also well known for his skill in marine salvage of ships off the dangerous coast.HistoryCaptain William Collin (1834-1914) was born in England, went to sea, and was shipwrecked off north Queensland in 1854. He settled in Sydney until 1862 when he moved to Queensland and operated barges in the coastal trade. He also became a well-known salvage operator and shipbreaker. Captain Colin is regarded as a pioneer of the Queensland coastal and river trade, and one of his most notable achievements was to mark the passage through Torres Strait with buoys, for the Queensland Government. His reminiscences, published as 'Life and Adventures of an Essex Man' published in 1914 are an important source for the social and commercial history of early Queensland.SignificanceCaptain William Collin was one of the true European pioneers of Queensland. After a lengthy and adventure filled journey to Australia as a young man, Collin settled in Queensland and began operating a barge on the Brisbane River for twenty years. He would live to be involved in almost all aspects of the Queensland coastal trade including salvaging, cargo carrying and laying buoys and cables for the Queensland government.