The troopship WARILDA and the tug RACER, Melbourne
Photographer
Josiah Earl Barnes
(Australian, 1858 - 1921)
Date1916
Object number00027625
NamePhotograph
MediumPhotographic print on paper
DimensionsOverall: 115 x 156 mm, 1 mm, 0.04 kg
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionMelbourne photographer Josiah E Barnes captured this image of the troopship WARILDA underway from Melbourne. The WARILDA is being pulled by a tugboat and four-masted a ship appears at left. The reverse of the print has a pencil inscription reading: `WARILDA 25-5-16 no15' and a stamp: `tel. 1966 Hawthorn... J.E. Barnes press & outdoor photographer Kew, Melb. Copyright'.HistoryMelbourne based photographer Josiah Barnes had two sons, Norm and Victor, who left for war in 1916 (both returned to Australia after their service). Barnes appears to have taken an interest around this time in photographing the troopships as they departed for war from Melbourne.
The merchant ship WARILDA was built in Glasgow in 1912 for coastal transport services on the East-West coast of Australia. In August 1915 the vessel was requisitioned by the Commonwealth and fitted up for use as a troopship. In 1916 the vessel was converted to a hospital ship. During her war service WARILDA transported more than 7,000 troops and as a hospital ship she transported approximately 80,000 patients. WARILDA was torpedoed and sunk 3 August 1918 in English Channel.
