WOORONGA [WAROONGA]

Artist William McIlvenny (Active 1880 - 1895)

Date1889

Object number00030664

NamePainting

MediumOil on canvas, wood

DimensionsOverall: 605 x 895 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from The Reily Family in Memory of Keith Reily

Terms

Sydney

DescriptionAn oil painting by William McIlvenny of the Australasian United Steam Navigation Company [A.U.S.N.Co.] ship the WAROONGA. The name of the vessel is misspelled WOORONGA on the bow and on the blue flag on the foremast. The WAROONGA is depicted at sea under steam assisted by sails on the foremast. Signed and dated lower right corner in red 'Wm Mcilvenny Sydney 1889'. The painting has its original gilt wood frame.HistoryThe WAROONGA was built in 1882 for the British India Steam Navigation Co.(B.I.S.N .Co). The ship was bought by A.U.S.N.Co. in 1888 (the transfer is not recorded in Lloyds Register until 1890). The WAROONGA was used on several of the A.U.S.N.Co.'s routes but mainly on the Sydney-Fremantle run. The WAROONGA was sold back to the B.I.S.N.Co. in 1899. SignificanceThe Australian Shipping Line A.U.S.N.Co. was formed in 1887 by the merger of the AustralasianSteam Navigation Co. and the Queensland Steam Shipping Co., the company folded in 1961. During that period the A.U.S.N.Co. played an important part in Australia's commercial history, especially the coal and sugar trade.