SS CHINGTU

Datec 1905

Object number00051770

NamePainting

MediumOil painting

DimensionsOverall (Painting frame): 453 x 707 x 30 mm
Other (Painting sight): 345 x 596 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from the Estate of Michael O'Flynn

Terms

DescriptionThe Australian troop transport SS CHINGTU returned to Sydney on 25 April 1901 with naval contingents who had participated in the quelling of the Chinese Boxer Rebellion 1900-1901. Artist unknown. This work is almost identical to one by J D Castle also in the ANMM collection.HistoryThe China Steam Navigation Company's vessel CHINGTU was used as Transport 105 for the voyage carrying the contingents of the NSW Naval Brigade back to Australia in 1901 following the Boxer Rebellion. Australia took its first step into East Asian conflicts in 1900, when three colonies sent support to the British at the Boxer War. This was a joint action by several nations including Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Russia and the USA to crush a violent uprising against foreigners in China. The action was immortalised in the Hollywood movie "55 days in Peking". The term Boxer was a Western corruption of the original Chinese name. South Australia lent its steel twin screw gunboat HMCS PROTECTOR (Her Majesty's Colonial Ship) with a crew of 110 to assist the British Royal Navy. Victoria and New South Wales sent naval brigade contingents totalling 462 men. The Aberdeen Line cargo passenger ship SS SALAMIS was requisitioned by the New South Wales government to transport the contingent to the conflict. The China Navigation Company Limited vessel SS CHINGTU was requisitioned to bring the contingents home. They steamed through Sydney Heads on 25 April 1901.SignificanceThe painting features the image of a vessel connected to one of the first overseas actions in which Australian naval brigades fought. Victorian, New South Wales and South Australian troops were responsible for guarding and policing Tianjin (Tientsin) and Beijing (Peking) during the Boxer Rebellion.