THEMISTOCLES passenger contract ticket

Date1928

Object number00053733

NameTicket

Mediumpaper

DimensionsOverall: 280 x 180 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Anthony Whittet

Terms

DescriptionThis first class passengers' contract ticket for Aberdeen liner SS THEMISTOCLES was issued to Mrs A Irwin Smith for travel from Sydney to Durban on 27 March 1928.HistoryThe Aberdeen Line was formed in 1825 to operate sailing ships from Aberdeen to Quebec and the St Lawrence. Regular sailings between London and Australia were introduced in 1842. From 1886 the Aberdeen Line operated a route between London, Cape Town, Durban and Australia. In 1932 the Aberdeen Line was purchased by Shaw, Savill & Albion and in 1933 merged with the Australian Commonwealth Line to form the Aberdeen & Commonwealth Line. THEMISTOCLES was built by Harland & Wolff for the Aberdeen Line in 1911. It had accommodation for 103 first and 400 third class passengers. THEMISTOCLES embarked on its maiden voyage from London to Sydney on 16 February 1911. It was requisitioned as a troopship during World War I and returned to the Australia service in 1920. THEMISTOCLES was taken over by the Shaw, Savill & Albion Line in 1932 and operated on the Australia service via the Cape. It remained on commercial service during World War II and was broken up in 1947 - the last vessel to bear an Aberdeen Line name. SignificanceThis THEMISTOCLES passenger contract ticket is a rare memento from the 1920s voyage of Irish migrant Mrs A Irwin Smith, who travelled to Durban to visit family in 1928. The Aberdeen liner THEMISTOCLES operated regular services between Britain and Australia via South Africa.