Queen Elizabeth's Royal Yacht GOTHIC in Sydney Harbour

Photographer Geoff Lee (1928-2007) (1928 - 2007)

Date1954

Object numberANMS1318[002]

NamePhotographic slide

Medium35mm photographic slide

DimensionsOverall: 46 x 42 mm

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Judy Lee

Terms

DescriptionThe image is of the yacht GOTHIC as she makes her way through the harbour surrounded by a spectator fleet of small boats.HistoryIn 1953, the Shaw Savill Line ship GOTHIC was chosen by the Admiralty to be refitted for the 1954 Queen's visit to Australia as part of her coronation world tour. Despite now acting as a royal yacht, the Shaw Savill Line would provide and the crew and, apparently under direction of the Queen, the GOTHIC would continue to use her cargo capacity to the full and departed London with 6,300 tons of general cargo. The GOTHIC embarked the Queen and Duke at Jamaica and voyaged to the West Indies, Suva, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Cocos Island, Colombo and Aden. In Aden, before departing the GOTHIC the Queen bestowed honours, including a knighthood, upon members of the crew. SignificanceBetween February and April 1954 the Queen visited Australian cities and towns as part of a world royal tour visiting countries in the Commonwealth. This royal visit was the first to Australia of a reigning monarch.