Members of the 4th Reinforcements, 58th Battalion waiting to board HMAT ORSOVA, Melbourne
Photographer
Josiah Earl Barnes
(Australian, 1858 - 1921)
Date1 August 1916
Object number00027603
NamePhotograph
MediumPhotographic print on paper
DimensionsOverall: 121 x 167 mm, 1 mm, 0.04 kg
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionPhotograph by Melbourne photographer Josiah E. Barnes of members of the 58th Battalion reinforcements waiting to embark on the troopship HMAT ORSOVA in 1916.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.
ORSOVA was built by John Brown & Co., Glasgow and launched in November 1908 for the Orient Steam Navigation Company's London/ Australia service. The name ORSOVA was derived from a village on the Danube River in Europe was used to refer to a fleet of six ships ordered by the Orient Steam Navigation Co. The other vessels of the ORSOVA class were ORAMA, OTWAY, OSTERLEY, ORVIETO and OTRANTO.
In 1914 ORSOVA was requisitioned by the Australian Government for use as a troopship. On 14 March 1917 ORSOVA came under attack from German torpedoes while transporting troops through the English Channel. The vessel was run aground by her captain and was not fit for use again until after the war had finished.
After WW1 ORSOVA returned to servicing the London/ Australia passenger route, taking a final voyage in August 1936.SignificanceThe troopship HMAT ORSOVA embarked from Melbourne 1 August 1916 with the 58th Battalion reinforcements.
Josiah Earl Barnes
2 October 1916
