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AURORA and its sealing party from Saint John’s Newfoundland

Subject or historical figure Sir Lionel Hooke (Australian, 1895 - 1974)

Date1910

Object number00055417

NamePhotograph

MediumBlack and white photographic print on paper.

DimensionsOverall: 215 × 288 × 20 mm, 655 g

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Gift from Maria Teresa Hooke OAM and her sons John Max and Paolo in memory of John Hooke CBE and Sir Lionel Hooke

Terms

DescriptionA photograph of SY AURORA taken by radio pioneer Sir Ernest Fisk in the Arctic when he was on SS FLORIZEL with AURORA during the sealing season out of St John's Newfoundland where he was demonstrating wireless to the sealers. This image was given as a gift to Sir Lionel Hooke in appreciation of his 'many outstanding achievements in pioneering, exploring, business, engineering, aviation etcetera both in peace and war'. On the inscription on the reverse from London, September 1955, Fisk notes that he installed the wireless receiving and transmitting equipment on AURORA for Shackleton's expedition during its refit in Sydney, after Mawson's expedition. According to Fisk the equipment had been used by the Mawson expedition 1911-14. HistorySir Ernest Fisk became synonymous with the development of radio in Australia after instigating the first direct wireless communication between Britain and Australia from his home in Sydney in 1918. Fisk began his career as a wireless telegraphist in the British Post Office. With a strong interest in wireless technology and working with American Marconi he spent time with the Newfoundland seal hunting fleet out of St. John’s Newfoundland testing wireless technology and it was here that this image of the AURORA was taken. In 1913, now based in Australia, Fisk became a foundation director of a new communications company, Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd. He also served as its general and technical manager and in 1932 its chairman. Consistently promoting the advancement of wireless communication, Fisk believed strongly in the significance this technological development had for the future commercial and defence prospects of Australia and oversaw the pioneering of a broadcasting and radio-telephone service throughout the British commonwealth. Fisk was involved in numerous other local organisations including business and manufacturing associations, Rotary, the Council for Physical Fitness, the Royal Sydney Yacht squadron and others relating to music and driving. But his passion remained wireless technology and his home in Sydney featured a laboratory in which he continued his investigations and produced a number of patents. One of Fisk's fore thinking projects was the investigation of solar and hydro energy. Solar energy he believed could well be used in homes of the future. SignificanceThis photograph relates to Sir Lionel Hooke, chair of AWA (Australian Wireless Australasia), and wireless operator on SY AURORA, Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-17. It signifies the polar service he shared with Sir Ernest Fisk, his mentor at Amalgamated Wireless Australasia after his return from the war and Antarctic service.