SS MORINDA
Artist
Reginald Arthur Henry Borstel
(Australian, 1875 - 1922)
Date1915
Object number00031350
NamePainting
MediumOil on board
DimensionsOverall: 435 x 590 x 40 mm, 6.2 kg
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis painting depicts the SS MORINDA sailing at night time with dark clouds over head. MORINDA operated for the Burns, Philp & Company shipping line from 1913 until 1953. This included a period acting as a navy merchant vessel transporting troops and supplies during World War II.HistorySS MORINDA was a passenger ship built in 1913 at Grangemouth Dockyard, England. For the majority of its career MORINDA served with the shipping line Burns, Philp & Co. During World War II MORINDA was used by the Navy as an ammunition supply ship after December 1941, conducting evacuation operations in the Solomon Islands. At the end of the war MORINDA again took up service with Burns, Philp & Co until it was sold and scrapped in Japan in 1953.
Burns, Philp & Co Ltd became incorporated in 1883. Their early operations included running small stores on Queensland's Gympie goldfields and shipping goods between Brisbane and Sydney. The company expanded and began shipping between Australia and the South East Pacific running numerous plantations and warehouses overseas. In the interwar period of the 20th century Burns, Philp & Co became an established name in Australia, their ships clearly recognisable by the Scotch Thistle flag.
During World War II a number of their ships were commandeered by the Merchant Navy and used as troop and supply transports. The company’s specialised knowledge of the Pacific became very useful in the allied war effort and both the ships and their personnel were taken into war service.
During the 1970s Burns, Philp & Co made major operational changes and became involved in the production and distribution of food and beverage. Burns, Philp & Co operated on the Australian Stock Exchange until December 2006 when it was divided and sold.SignificanceThis painting by respected maritime artist Reginald Borstel represents the Burns, Philp & Company vessel SS MORINDA. Burns, Philp & Co had a well established name in Australia during the 20th century.
